Calcified aneurysm. X-ray of the abdomen of a patient with an aortic aneurysm that has calcified (solidified with calcium growths). This is seen as a white line (centre right) which is the ballooned side wall of the aorta. This ballooning (aneurysm) is due to a weakening of the blood vessel wall. The aorta is the main body artery. If the aneurysm ruptures, severe bleeding can cause death. Surgery to repair the blood vessel wall is needed. The spine (running down the centre) is curved due to osteoarthritis, the degeneration of the cartilage of the bone joints. In this case, the joints lying between the spinal bones (vertebrae) are failing.