Aortic dissection presenting as acute lower extremity ischemia: report of a case.
Although not common, acute leg ischemia is an important element in the clinical presentation of a patient with aortic dissection. This report describes a case of aortic dissection in which the main feature at presentation was acute right leg ischemia. The angiography showed right common iliac artery and external iliac artery occlusion. Diagnosis was made by clinical evaluation and angiography. Embolectomy was then attempted immediately but failed. Aortic dissection was highly suspected and confirmed by emergency computed tomography. Fortunately, the patient had good recovery. Aortic dissection is potentially lethal if misdiagnosed or if recognition is delayed. As such, aortic dissection should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Liu
Wen-Pin
WP
Department of Emergency Medicine, China Medical College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC. liu581115@yahoo.com.tw
Chen
Wei-Kung
WK
Ng
Kim-Choy
KC
D000328:Adult; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D000792:Angiography; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D017128:Embolectomy; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000473:pathology; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed