Atypical presentations of acute aortic dissection are associated with delayed diagnosis and increased mortality rates. We describe two cases of isolated throat discomfort as the only symptom of a Stanford type A aortic dissection. In the first case, a 77-year-old male presented with isolated throat discomfort. After delayed recognition of aortic dissection, computed tomography (CT) aortography confirmed type A aortic dissection extending into the great vessels. He suffered a cardiac arrest and died. In second case, a 57-year-old male who described chest pain and a coronary angiogram was unremarkable. Post-procedure, he complained of severe throat pain and due to early suspicion of aortic dissection, an urgent CT aortography confirmed the diagnosis. He subsequently underwent successful graft replacement. The contrasting case series illustrates the importance of considering throat discomfort as an early manifestation of aortic dissection.

Keywords: Aortic dissection, Sore throat, Throat discomfort, Type A

Clinical diagnosis of acute aortic dissection (AAD) is often challenging in the emergency room. Classical symptoms are uncommon and atypical presentations are associated with delayed diagnosis and an incremental rise in mortality approaching 2% for every hour following the onset of symptoms [1]. Acute aortic syndromes typically present with sudden onset of ‘tearing’ chest, abdominal or back pain [2]. In a real-world setting, however, absence of these pathognomonic symptoms can make AAD a ‘clinical chameleon’. Awareness of atypical symptoms and early diagnosis correlated with improved clinical outcomes [2][3]. A review by the European Society of Cardiology found 30% of patients to be misdiagnosed prior to the discovery of aortic dissection [4], and almost half of these were labeled and treated as an acute coronary syndrome [5]. Numerous atypical symptoms have been described, including trapezius ridge pain, fever, paresthesia and hiccups [6][7][8][9]. In this case series, we describe two reports of Stanford type A aortic dissection presenting with isolated throat discomfort.

A 57-year-old male presented with bilateral arm paresthesia on a background of known hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, treated with irbesartan, hydrochlorothiazide and simvastatin. He had no family history of aortic syndromes or vasculitis. Blood pressure reading was elevated at 150/90, but was equal bilaterally, and an ECG demonstrated ST elevation in aVR with reciprocal ST depression in the anterior, inferior, and lateral leads (Figure 2A). High sensitivity troponin was mildly elevated at 20 ng/L (normal range <14 ng/L). He underwent urgent transradial coronary angiography which showed no flow limiting coronary artery stenosis, but was commenced on dual anti-platelets without heparinization. Following the procedure, his symptoms and ECG changes resolved, however he developed intense throat discomfort. The possibility of aortic dissection was raised and CT aortography confirmed type A aortic dissection from the aortic cusps extending into the brachiocephalic, left common carotid and subclavian arteries (Figure 2B). He subsequently underwent a successful aortic graft replacement.

Branch vessel occlusion ischemia typically causes chest and back pain. However, up to 10% of patients with aortic dissection lack these cardinal features [5]. An incremental mortality rate following the onset of symptoms highlights the importance of making an early diagnosis in patients with acute aortic syndromes [3]. In a subset of the patients, throat pain may be the sole feature to prompt consideration of AAD. This has only been reported twice in literature [8][9]. The throat discomfort is likely attributable to propagation of the dissection plane to the great vessels, as was the case in both patients. Other possible pathophysiological mechanisms may include lower cranial nerve irritation of the cardiac branch of the left vagus nerve secondary to supra-aortic vessel compression [10].

Throat discomfort is a clinically significant symptom that could aid in early diagnosis of acute aortic dissection in a patient where other typical symptoms are absent. This is particularly significant in cases where patients are misdiagnosed as an acute coronary syndrome, as a combination of antiplatelet pre-loading and heparinization in the emergency department, followed by a coronary angiogram can often be fatal due to the risk of guidewire induced extension of the dissection plane. While not all throat pain equates to an aortic dissection, in the clinical situation where the symptom does not match the overall clinical state warrants consideration of the diagnosis.

In the clinical situation where the symptom does not match the overall clinical state warrants consideration of the diagnosis, while not all throat pain equates to aortic dissection.

1. Tsai TT, Nienaber CA, Eagle KA. Acute aortic syndromes. Circulation 2005 Dec 13;112(24):3802–13.   [CrossRef]   [Pubmed]    
2. Harris KM, Strauss CE, Eagle KA, et al. Correlates of delayed recognition and treatment of acute type A aortic dissection: The international registry of acute aortic dissection (IRAD). Circulation 2011 Nov 1;124(18):1911–8.   [CrossRef]   [Pubmed]    
3. Nienaber CA, Eagle KA. Aortic dissection: New frontiers in diagnosis and management: Part I: From etiology to diagnostic strategies. Circulation 2003 Aug 5;108(5):628-35.   [CrossRef]   [Pubmed]    
4. Erbel R, Alfonso F, Boileau C, et al. Diagnosis and management of aortic dissection. Eur Heart J 2001 Sep;22(18):1642–81.   [CrossRef]   [Pubmed]    
5. Hansen MS, Nogareda GJ, Hutchison SJ. Frequency of and inappropriate treatment of misdiagnosis of acute aortic dissection. Am J Cardiol 2007 Mar 15;99(6):852–6.   [CrossRef]   [Pubmed]    
6. Holicek S. Hiccup as a major sign of aortic dissection. Int J Cardiol 2014 Dec 20;177(3):e105–6.   [Pubmed]    
7. Kondo T, Uehara T, Ikegami A, Hirota Y, Ikusaka M. Bilateral trapezius ridge pain with sustained low-grade fever caused by aortic dissection. Can J Cardiol 2015 Sep;31(9):1204.e17–8.   [CrossRef]   [Pubmed]    
8. Liu WP, Ng KC. Acute thoracic aortic dissection presenting as sore throat: Report of a case. Yale J Biol Med 2004 May;77(3–4):53–8.   [Pubmed]    
9. Anguille S, Derweduwen AM, Lenz J, Vanuytsel L, Cools FJ. Sore throat: A trivial complaint masking a life-threatening condition. Med J Aust 2009 Apr 20z;190(8):454–6.   [Pubmed]    
10. Myers DE. Vagus nerve pain referred to the craniofacial region: A case report and literature review with implications for referred cardiac pain. Br Dent J 2008 Feb 23;204(4):187–9.   [CrossRef]   [Pubmed]