Abdominal aortic dissection with retrograde extension into the thoracic aorta: case report.

A case of spontaneous dissection originating in the infrarenal abdominal aorta with retrograde extension into the thoracic aorta is reported along with the computed tomography and angiographic findings. Surgical repair resulted in the obliteration of the false lumen, healing of the thoracic hematoma, and clinical recovery. The principles for radiologic evaluation and therapeutic management are discussed.