Chronic type B aortic dissection complicated by repetitive spinal cord ischaemia

Chronic type B aortic dissection complicated by repetitive transient spinal cord ischaemia is rare. Reduced blood flow in the segmental arteries supplying the radicular arteries in the false lumen is the main cause of this pathology. Individual variations in spinal cord circulation are difficult to identify; therefore, the mechanisms of spinal cord ischaemia are poorly understood. We encountered a patient with chronic type B aortic dissection experiencing repetitive spinal cord ischaemia that finally led to spinal cord infarction. The patient recovered, except for mild monoparesis of the right leg. With the growth of the dissected aorta, we planned for surgical treatment to restore the blood supply in the spinal cord. The patient underwent thoraco-abdominal aortic repair using deep hypothermia, and favourable neurological results were achieved.