Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
14:45
Technical Detail for Robot Assisted Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Published on: September 28, 2019
Pseudoaortic dissection
Ken-Hing Tan1, Shih-Yu Ko, Sun-Li Chou
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei Medical University - Shuang Ho Hospital, Zhong He City, Taipei County 235, Taiwan ROC. leucocyte99@gmail.com
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|June 7, 2011
Summary
Aortic dissection was initially suspected in a patient with abdominal pain, but a rare anatomical variation caused a misinterpretation. Reconstructed CT scans are crucial for accurate diagnosis of aortic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Vascular Surgery
- Anatomy
Background:
- A 72-year-old male presented with upper abdominal pain and hypertension.
- Initial computed tomography (CT) revealed an intimal flap in the descending aorta, suggesting Stanford type B dissection.
Observation:
- A high aortic bifurcation at the second lumbar vertebra was identified.
- Bilateral common iliac arteries appeared as a paired structure.
Findings:
- The anatomical variation mimicked infrarenal aortic dissection on initial CT imaging.
- The intimal flap was a normal anatomical variant, not a pathological dissection.
Implications:
- Reconstructed sagittal views of CT scans are essential for accurate interpretation of aortic pathology.
- Awareness of rare anatomical variations is critical in diagnosing vascular emergencies.
- This case highlights the importance of comprehensive imaging review to avoid diagnostic errors.
