[Diagnosis and therapy of an intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta].
METHODS
A 79 year-old female presented with severe chest pain and shortness of breath.


METHODS
The chest X-ray showed a widened mediastinum and a small left-sided pleural effusion. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated not only dilatation of the ascending aorta and aortic regurgitation but also an echo-poor crescentic seam within the aortic wall. Computed tomography identified this structure as an intramural hematoma.


METHODS
The aortic valve and the ascending aorta were replaced.


CONCLUSIONS
An intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta may be difficult to recognize but it is a life-threatening condition and should be treated by prompt surgical repair.
Lenferink
S
S
Abteilung Innere Medizin III, Schwerpunkt Kardiologie und Pulmologie, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Stuttgart.
Sechtem
U
U
D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001021:Aortic Valve; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001027:Aortography; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006406:Hematoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed