A patient with altered mental status and possible seizure reveals an atypical aortic dissection upon workup☆
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Harinder S. Dhindsa, MD, MPH
,Department of Emergency Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems, Richmond, VA
Article Info
Publication History
Published Online: November 18, 2013Accepted: November 7, 2013; Received: November 4, 2013;
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Fig. 1
Chest x-ray displaying widened mediastinum.
Fig. 2
Computed tomography angiography displaying ascending dissection.
Aortic dissection occurs when a tear occurs in the inner muscle wall lining of the aorta, allowing blood to split the muscle layers of the aortic wall apart. It is classically characterized by pain that starts in the upper chest, which then radiates to the upper back and is tearing or ripping in quality. Our objective is to present a case followed by a brief literature review of aortic dissection and uncommon but important features that may be demonstrated. In this report, we present the case of a 57-year-old woman who was transported to the emergency department with an acute episode of altered mental status, presenting as a possible stroke with possible seizures.
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☆There was no grant support or other individuals that were of direct help in the preparation of the study.
© 2014 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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