Author/Authors :
Hafeez, Adam Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA , Karmo, Dillon Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA , Mercado-Alamo, Adrian Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA , Halalau, Alexandra Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, USA
Abstract :
Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition in which the inner layer of the aorta tears. Blood surges through the tear, causing
the inner and middle layers of the aorta to separate (dissect). It is considered a medical emergency. We report a case of a healthy
56-year-old male who presented to the emergency room with sudden onset of epigastric pain radiating to his back. His blood
pressure was 167/91 mmHg, equal in both arms. His lipase was elevated at 1258 U/L, and he was clinically diagnosed with
acute pancreatitis (AP). He denied any alcohol consumption, had no evidence for gallstones, and had normal triglyceride level.
Two days later, he endorsed new suprapubic tenderness radiating to his scrotum, along with worsening epigastric pain. A MRCP
demonstrated evidence of an aortic dissection (AD). CT angiography demonstrated a Stanford type B AD extending into the
proximal common iliac arteries. His aortic dissection was managed medically with rapid blood pressure control. +e patient had
excellent recovery and was discharged home without any surgical intervention.
