Extensive Type A Aortic Dissection; from Internal Carotid Artery to Iliac Artery: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Aortic dissection is defined as separation of the layers within the aortic wall. An acute aortic dissection is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, indeed, many patients die before presentation to the emergency department (ED) or before diagnosis is made in the ED. The location, size and etiology of a dissection all impact on the clinical outcome. All arteries may be affected by the dissection, and clinical signs and symptoms such as neurologic, renal and extremity complications may vary depending on the involvement.

We reported the case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with sudden-onset pain, weakness and numbness of the right leg, with no chest or back pain. A combination of features on transcervical carotid Doppler and CT angiograhy demonstrated type A aortic dissection extending to the common iliac artery and involving the supra-aortic branches, with distal extension to the carotid vessels.