A Case Report and a Literature Review of Traumatic Abdominal Aortic Dissection: An Uncommon Complication Following Vertebral Fractures Due to Blunt Trauma

Aortic dissection is a rare consequence of blunt trauma with potentially fatal consequences requiring prompt identification and management. The most common site for dissection or transection is the thoracic aorta due to anatomical fixation points. Current literature describes four cases of traumatic abdominal aortic dissection with intimal tear associated with vertebral fractures due to falling. We present a 30-year-old gentleman who attended following a fall from a first-floor window. Whole-body computerised tomographic imaging demonstrated superior endplate fractures of L1 -L3 vertebral bodies and an acute infra -renal abdominal aortic dissection. He was transferred to the regional tertiary vascular centre and managed conservatively. Clinicians should be conscious of potential aortic dissection in trauma, especially where there is evidence of vertebral fractures. Imaging should be evaluated at the time to specifically exclude such injuries.