Incidental detection of late presenting co-arctation of the aorta on chest x-ray: the importance of rib notching. (27th January 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Warne, Richard Roger; Ong, Jeremy Sze Luong; Murray, Conor P
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2012
• Publication Date: 2012-01-27
• Subjects: Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr.12.2011.5347
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : A 31-year-old obese male presented to the emergency department with symptoms and signs suggestive of a viral upper respiratory tract illness with a background of low exercise tolerance. Rib notching was identified on plain film chest radiography and subsequent CT of the thorax identified a moderately tight 2-mm juxta-ductal co-arctation of the aorta with multiple enlarged chest wall collaterals. The patient underwent a two-stage percutaneous procedure involving stent insertion and angioplasty up to 16 mm with significant improvement in exercise capacity and a modest reduction in blood pressure.