An Ischemic Stroke Revealing an Aneurysmal Dilation of the Ascending Aorta and Atheromatous Ectasia of the Descending Thoracic Aorta
D. Bennani *
Cardiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.
A. El Bouazizi
Cardiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.
L. Afendi
Cardiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.
F. Essadqi
Cardiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.
M. Haboub
Cardiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.
A. Drighil
Cardiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.
K. Gourram
Radiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.
Y. Sakhy
Radiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.
H. Tabakh
Radiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.
A. Siwane
Radiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.
N. Touil
Radiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.
O. Kacimi
Radiology Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Morocco.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
We report the case of an acute embolic-appearing ischemic stroke that led to the diagnosis of a complex aortic pathology combining an ascending aortic aneurysm, defined as a permanent pathological dilation of the proximal aorta conferring a major risk of dissection or rupture, and an atheromatous ectasia of the descending thoracic aorta, characterized by the accumulation of fibrolipidic deposits within the aortic wall and constituting a potential embolic source, as illustrated in the present case. Identification of this atypical emboligenic substrate prompted a multidisciplinary management strategy.
Keywords: Ischemic stroke, aortic aneurysm, atherosclerosis