Painless transient paraparesis as the solitary manifestation of aortic dissection

J Vasc Surg. 2011 Nov;54(5):1481-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2011.05.007. Epub 2011 Jul 13.

Abstract

We present a 62-year-old man with acute and temporary paraparesis of the lower extremities as the solitary symptom of an anterior spinal artery syndrome caused by a type B aortic dissection. Ischemia of the spinal cord was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Neurologic symptoms resolved completely within 6 hours and conservative treatment was successful up to 8 months follow-up. Our report illustrates that painless, transient neurologic deficit can be the only presenting symptom of acute aortic dissection and that aortic dissection should be part of the differential diagnosis of acute paraparesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aortic Aneurysm / complications*
  • Aortic Aneurysm / diagnosis
  • Aortic Aneurysm / therapy
  • Aortic Dissection / complications*
  • Aortic Dissection / diagnosis
  • Aortic Dissection / therapy
  • Aortography / methods
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Lower Extremity / innervation*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Paraparesis / diagnosis
  • Paraparesis / etiology*
  • Paraparesis / physiopathology
  • Paraparesis / therapy
  • Spinal Cord Ischemia / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Ischemia / etiology*
  • Spinal Cord Ischemia / therapy
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors