Boon Ong1, Martyn Harvey1, Grant Cave2. 1. Emergency Medicine Department, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand. 2. Emergency Medicine Department, Hutt Hospital, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Acute chest pain represents a common presentation at emergency department. Aortic dissection in young patients, however, is fortunately rare. METHODS: We report a case of giant ascending aortic aneurysm with Stanford type A aortic dissection in an otherwise well 22-year-old male patient. Operative aortic valve and root replacement was undertaken with favourable outcome. RESULTS: Histopathologic examination of the resected aorta revealed acute on chronic inflammatory change with Langerhans type giant cells consistent with a diagnosis of giant cell aortitis. CONCLUSION: While uncommon, emergencies of the aorta may present in young patients. Predisposing conditions are discussed.
BACKGROUND: Acute chest pain represents a common presentation at emergency department. Aortic dissection in young patients, however, is fortunately rare. METHODS: We report a case of giant ascending aortic aneurysm with Stanford type A aortic dissection in an otherwise well 22-year-old male patient. Operative aortic valve and root replacement was undertaken with favourable outcome. RESULTS: Histopathologic examination of the resected aorta revealed acute on chronic inflammatory change with Langerhans type giant cells consistent with a diagnosis of giant cell aortitis. CONCLUSION: While uncommon, emergencies of the aorta may present in young patients. Predisposing conditions are discussed.
Authors: M Erwin S H Tan; Wim J Morshuis; Karl M E Dossche; Johannes C Kelder; Frans G J Waanders; Marc A A M Schepens Journal: Ann Thorac Surg Date: 2005-08 Impact factor: 4.330