Acute paraplegia as a presentation of acute aortic occlusion

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.