Recurrent nontraumatic aortic tears resulting in valvular avulsion and aortic insufficiency.
A case of aortic insufficiency due to avulsion of two of three semilunar valves was remarkable because of the intimal and medial tears which caused it. The tears were in different stages of repair, suggesting repetitive injury. Antemortem steroid therapy and bouts of violent coughing may explain these unusual findings.
D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000473:pathology; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000473:pathology*; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000473:pathology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications; D003371:Cough / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged