Unusual presentation of aortic dissection : post-coital acute paraplegia with renal failure

Abstract EN

We report the case of a 45-year-old chronic smoker who presented with acute paraplegia occurring during coitus and subsequently developed acute renal failure (ARF) requiring dialysis.

He had absent peripheral pulses in the lower limbs with evidence of acute ischemia.

Doppler study showed dissecting aneurysm of thoracic aorta, thrombotic occlusion of the distal aorta from L1 level up to bifurcation and occlusion of the right renal artery by a thrombus that was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging of the spine.

He was not subjected to any vascular intervention as his lower limbs were not salvageable due to delay in the diagnosis.

Post-coital aortic dissection and aortic dissection presenting with acute paraplegia and ARF are very rare.

This is probably the first case report with post-coital acute aortic dissection presenting with paraplegia and ARF.

This case emphasizes the importance of a careful examination of peripheral pulses in patients presenting with ARF and paraplegia.