Aortic dissection presenting as pleural effusion

BMJ Case Rep. 2011 Jun 17:2011:bcr0320113956. doi: 10.1136/bcr.03.2011.3956.

Abstract

Aortic dissection is a life threatening emergency. This case illustrates the unusual way an aortic dissection can present. This patient presented with sharp, left interscapular pain, which subsided after a while and left-sided pleural effusion. Further investigations revealed that this was a case of thoracic aortic dissection with a leak into pleural space. She underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair with stent graft insertion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / complications*
  • Aortic Dissection / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology*