Transient Neurological Deficits in a Patient With Prior DeBakey Type 1 Aortic Dissection

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the aortic wall layers are separated. It is important to recognize that aortic dissections can have an atypical presentation with neurological deficits and not typical findings of chest pain or thoracic symptoms. Our patient presented with headache, vertigo, and transient neurologic deficits. However, imaging revealed no acute stroke. Our patient had a prior history of DeBakey type 1 aortic dissection repaired four years before. Imaging did not demonstrate an acute aortic dissection however there was an increase in size of the aneurysmal components. However, it is unclear if this contributed to the transient neurological deficits. Further research is needed to determine if there is a correlation between aortic aneurysmal enlargement and transient neurological deficits.