Distal and proximal dissection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

A case of abdominal aortic aneurysm in which dissection developed in retrograde fashion into the thoracic aorta is reported. The aortogram showed findings similar to DeBakey Type-IIIb dissection. No intimal tear was seen in the thoracic aorta; however, the origin of the intimal tear was found in the abdominal aorta. Renal hypertension also developed due to distal dissection of the right renal artery. Closure of the primary intimal tear, partial closure of the false channel and removal of the right kidney were performed therefore, reattachment of vessels was not required. This was the first case in which a primary tear was seen in the abdominal aorta in our 37 surgical cases of dissecting aortic aneurysm. Three cases of retrograde dissection of abdominal aortic aneurysm have been reported in the English literature as far as we have determined. The importance of accurate detection of the origin of the intimal tear is emphasized.