Intra-Aortic Intimal Band Treated as a Chronic Type A Aortic Dissection / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

We present a case of a 76-year-old woman who was diagnosed with sarcoidosis due to enlarged hilar lymph nodes 6 year earlier. Computed tomography (CT) revealed asymptomatic Stanford type A dissection at that time. A chest radiograph taken a year ago showed obvious cardiac enlargement; therefore, echocardiography was performed for further investigation, which revealed severe aortic regurgitation. The patient was referred to our department for surgery after the contrast-enhanced CT revealed the same intra-aortic intimal flap as before. Transthoracic echocardiography showed cardiac enlargement with a left ventricular end-diastolic diameter of 61 mm and aortic regurgitation of 3/4 degree. Contrast-enhanced CT showed an approximately 3-mm-wide band-like structure (linear shadow) that appeared to be the intima of the ascending aorta; however, no entry or false lumen was apparent. The structure in the ascending aorta had an appearance distinct from that of a typical aortic dissection, but was deemed possible in chronic aortic dissection. Nevertheless, intraoperative findings revealed that the linear shadow shown on CT was not due to dissection. The band-like structure was actually the intima, and it was excised. The aortic valve was replaced with a biological valve and the ascending aorta was replaced with a prosthetic graft. She was discharged home on the 11th postoperative day after a favorable recovery. Pathological findings of the band-like structure revealed the intima of the blood vessel and no evidence of inflammatory cell infiltration. There was no evidence of aortic dissection. We encountered a rare case of intra-aortic intimal band that was misdiagnosed and treated as an aortic pseudodissection. It is difficult to rule out aortic dissection prior to surgery; therefore, it is preferable to prepare the operation as a dissection.