Co-occurrence of aortic dissection and polycystic kidney disease: a case report

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.