Descending aortic dissection originating from a juxtaductal traumatic aneurysm: technical considerations.

A 65-year-old male presented with a descending aortic dissection. His past history was remarkable for severe blunt chest trauma 26 years prior to presentation. Operative and pathologic findings included a posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm of the thoracic aorta and an aortic dissection that originated from the orifice of the pseudoaneurysm. The ductal fovea, the mouth of the pseudoaneurysm, is an area that may be more susceptible to accelerated atherosclerosis and the complications of atherosclerosis including aortic dissection.