title: [Spontaneous rupture of the thoracic aorta diagnosed rupture of the acute stanford type B aortic dissection at preoperation; report of a case].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spontaneous rupture of the thoracic aorta is extremely rare. It is very difficult to diagnose it preoperatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 71-year-old woman suffered the sudden onset of severe chest and back pain and was admitted to our hospital. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed mediastinal hematoma and apparent aortic dissection in the aortic arch and descending aorta. We diagnosed the rupture of Stanford type B dissection and performed an emergency operation. 20 mm tear was found in the intima of lesser curvature of aortic arch and 5 mm perforation was found in the adventitia of this part. There was no flap or false lumen suggestive of a dissection nor was there aortic aneurysm. Total aortic arch replacement was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The surgery was followed by an uneventful postoperative course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A case of spontaneous rupture of the thoracic aorta which was diagnosed the rupture of Stanford type B dissection preoperatively was successfully treated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Saiseikai Yokohama-shi Nanbu Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Choh
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karube
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous