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Updated: Apr 24, 2026

Author Spotlight: Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Comprehensive Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta
Published on: September 8, 2023
Images in emergency medicine: giant ascending aortic aneurysm dissection with hemopericardium
Boon Ong1, Martyn Harvey1, Grant Cave2
1Emergency Medicine Department, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand.
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.
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