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Hoarseness as an unusual initial presentation of aortic dissection

  • Laryngology
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European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head & Neck Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening medical emergency. While an abrupt, tearing pain in the chest or back is present in more than 90% of the patients, diagnosis of aortic dissection has been shown to be particularly difficult when such symptoms are not present. In this report we describe a 36-year-old man presenting with a 10-day history of new onset of hoarseness associated with several transient headache episodes. The possibility of aortic dissection was overlooked at the initial presentation, and unilateral vocal cord palsy due to a cerebrovascular accident was the initial diagnosis. The patient’s abnormal chest radiograph led to a re-diagnosis, and a Standford type-B aortic dissection was confirmed using thoracic computed tomography. The unusual presentation of aortic dissection is emphasized, and its management is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital of the National Defense Medical Center, No. 325 Cheng-Kung Road Section 2, 114, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC

    Hsin-Chien Chen, Chao-Jung Lin & Chih-Hung Wang

  2. Department of Surgery of the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital of the National Defense Medical Center, No. 325 Cheng-Kung Road Section 2, 114, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC

    Yuan-Sheng Tzeng & Chien-Sung Tsai

Authors
  1. Hsin-Chien Chen
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  2. Chao-Jung Lin
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  3. Yuan-Sheng Tzeng
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  4. Chien-Sung Tsai
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  5. Chih-Hung Wang
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Correspondence to Chih-Hung Wang.

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Chen, HC., Lin, CJ., Tzeng, YS. et al. Hoarseness as an unusual initial presentation of aortic dissection. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 262, 189–191 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-004-0765-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-004-0765-5

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