Noncommunicating intramural hematoma: an indication of developing aortic dissection?

A 60-year-old patient was referred to the hospital for persisting chest pain. The first transesophageal echocardiogram showed localized hematomas without aortic dissection. Several days later the patient suffered complete paraplegia after a second episode of chest pain. The transesophageal echocardiogram now showed a complete aortic dissection. Thus whether intramural hematomas can be regarded as an early sign of impending aortic dissection needs to be investigated.