Clinical analysis of aortic dissection with sudden coma and paraplegia as the main symptoms

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with aortic dissection presenting with neurological symptoms as the initial symptoms. METHODS: Clinical characteristics, radiological abnormalities, and prognosis were analyzed in two female patients with aortic dissection. The main clinical symptoms were sudden coma and paraplegia. A detailed clinical examination was performed and computed tomography scans were evaluated. RESULTS: The initial symptoms of the patients involved the nervous system. Chest and abdominal computed tomography scans were performed to confirm the diagnosis of aortic dissection. Both patients died. CONCLUSION: Patients who present with nervous system symptoms as the first symptoms of aortic dissection, which lead to misdiagnosis and missing the diagnosis, are rare. Improvement in the understanding of this disease is required to ensure that patients receive a timely diagnosis in the early stages.