UNUSUAL PRESENTATION OF AORTIC DISSECTION

Background : Aortic dissection is defined as separation of the layers within the aortic wall. Tears in the intimal layer result in the propagation of dissection (proximally or distally) secondary to blood entering the intima-media space. Acute dissection of the aorta can be life-threatening. Neurologic complications like paraplegia are rarely seen as a presenting manifestation of aortic dissection. Case Report :  We are reporting here a 60 year old female patient who had a sudden episode of restlessness, chest pain and paraplegia and on computed tomography was found to have an ascending aortic aneurysm with aortic dissection - Stanford type A. Why Should An Emergency Physician be aware of this? The importance of including acute aortic dissection in the differential diagnosis of sudden onset paraplegia is emphasized.