hostile neck anatomy
Anatomical features that make standard endovascular aneurysm repair challenging, including short, angulated, or heavily calcified proximal neck.
Full Definition
Hostile neck anatomy refers to unfavorable anatomical characteristics of the proximal aortic neck that complicate standard endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Features include neck length less than 15mm, severe angulation greater than 60 degrees, conical shape with significant diameter variation, heavy calcification, or the presence of thrombus. These characteristics increase the risk of type I endoleak, graft migration, and procedural failure. Patients with hostile neck anatomy may require fenestrated or branched endografts, open surgical repair, or hybrid procedures. Careful preoperative imaging assessment is crucial to identify these features and plan appropriate treatment strategies.
Usage
Usage note: Do not hyphenate when used as a noun phrase; considered standard terminology in endovascular literature.
In Context
- "The patient's hostile neck anatomy precluded standard EVAR and required fenestrated endograft repair." — preoperative assessment
- "Hostile neck anatomy with severe angulation and calcification was noted on CT angiography." — imaging report