Transient aortic arch syndrome with dysphasia due to ergotism

A 55-year-old woman with an aortic arch syndrome of acute onset and dysphasia, resulting from the excessive administration of ergotamine tartrate suppositories, is described. Complete resolution of symptoms and return of upper limb and carotid artery pulses to normal occurred within four days of cessation of the ergot derivative. Lower limb involvement was conspicuously absent in this case.