Aortic dissection presenting as stroke with focal neurologic deficits: A case report

Fig. 1. A 52-year-old male with no acute intracranial findings on CT Head. FINDINGS: There is mild central volume loss with ventricular and sulcal dilatation. There is no mass effect, midline shift, intracranial hemorrhage, or acute territorial infarct. No acute displaced bony fracture is noted. There is mild mucosal thickening involving the ethmoid air cells, compatible with sinus disease. There are small mucous retention cysts versus polyps in the maxillary sinuses. TECHNIQUE: Non contrast head CT. Multiplanar reformats were performed on the acquisition scanner. Radiation dose was reduced using automated exposure control or by adjusting mA/kV according to patient size.

Fig. 2. A 52-year-old male with type 2 aortic dissection. FINDINGS: CT angiogram of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis significant for type 1 dissection extending from the aortic arch down to the abdominal aorta and bilateral common and external iliac arteries and then into the right proximal superficial femoral artery and left common femoral artery, also extending into the right renal artery with mild-moderate luminal narrowing. Later reviewed by Vascular Surgery with final interpretation of radiographic findings as a type 2 aortic dissection. TECHNIQUE: CT angiogram of the chest abdomen and pelvis was performed following administration of intravenous contrast. 2D and 3D MIPS images were obtained on a separate workstation. Radiation dose was reduced using automated exposure control or by adjusting mA/kV according to patient size. Comparison is made to previous CT scan of abdomen and pelvis without intravenous contrast from earlier on the same day.