# Aortic Dissection Presenting With a Seizure in a Young Woman: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A rare case of aortic dissection in a young woman presented as a seizure, highlighting unusual symptoms and the importance of imaging for diagnosis.

## Contribution

This case report highlights an atypical presentation of aortic dissection in a thalassemia carrier, emphasizing the need for vigilance in non-traditional symptom scenarios.

## Key findings

- Aortic dissection was diagnosed via CT angiography in a 44-year-old woman who presented with a seizure.
- The dissection originated from the mid aortic arch and extended into multiple arteries without prior chest or back pain.
- The patient's thalassemia carrier status may have contributed to her vascular condition.

## Abstract

Aortic dissection is a rare but fatal emergency. It typically presents with sudden, severe chest pain or back pain, but can manifest atypically, complicating the diagnosis. We report a case of a 44-year-old woman who is a thalassemia carrier and presented with a seizure, without preceding chest or back pain. Computed tomography (CT) angiography revealed a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer causing a dissection originating from the mid aortic arch, with retrograde extension into the proximal innominate artery and inferior extension down the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta, terminating at the infrarenal aorta.