Journal of medical case reports
Co-occurrence of aortic dissection and polycystic kidney disease: a case report
By Raj G, Westaby J and Sheppard MN.
Abstract
Background
Aortic dissection is a rare and often fatal condition which arises when there is aortic wall weakening. Multiple risk factors could lead to this condition, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, connective tissue diseases such as Marfan's, Ehlers-Danlos and Loeys Dietz syndromes, as well as smoking, cocaine usage, bicuspid aortic valve, pregnancy and trauma. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a rare condition characterized by the development of multiple renal cysts, which is caused by genetic abnormalities leading to autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive inheritance. However, the presentation of both pathologies simultaneously is rare and has been infrequently reported.
Case presentation
We report a death attributed to the co-occurrence of both conditions, involving a 19-year-old Caucasian male with no known past medical history, who collapsed during sexual intercourse. Post-mortem examination revealed hemopericardium with an aortic dissection, which was associated with PKD. The heart and the great vessels were sent to the author's place of practice for a detailed cardiovascular pathology examination.