Chronic Aortic Dissection as a Cause of Fever of Unknown Origin

Abstract

Chronic aortic dissection presenting as a prolonged febrile syndrome is an uncommon condition. We believe that only 22 cases have been previously reported. We present a case of a patient with an aortic dissection whose diagnosis was delayed because persistent fever, malaise, and night sweats dominated his clinical picture. These complaints may be accompanied by an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, and anemia of chronic disease. Knowledge of this atypical presentation, a high degree of suspicion, and investigation using an adequate imaging method will help to avoid missing this potentially lethal entity.