Acute paraplegia as a presentation of acute aortic occlusion

• Main Authors: Ana F. Costa, MD, Fábio Almeida, MD, Sara Faria, MD, Ana Pastor, MD, Teresa Costa, MD, Teresa Alfaiate, MD, Amélia Pereira, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-03-01
• Series: Radiology Case Reports
• Subjects: Arterial occlusive diseases; Aorta; Paraplegia
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043320306658
• ISSN: 1930-0433

Acute aortic occlusion is a rare life-threatening event. We present a case of a heavy smoking, 54-year-old man who was admitted in the emergency room with sudden paraplegia, associated to severe lower back and lower limbs pain. A neurologic examination showed paralysis of the lower limbs and cold lower extremities. The pedal and femoral pulses were absent. A computed tomography revealed occlusion of the mesenteric superior artery, abdominal aorta, and both iliac arteries. Despite medical treatment, the patient died before evaluation of vascular surgery. Paraplegia is a rare presentation of acute aortic occlusion and clinicians should be alert to make an early intervention.