Healed Dissecting Aneurysm in Cystic Medial Necrosis of the Aorta

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Abstract
Dissecting aneurysm of the aorta rarely heals and leaves the patient asymptomatic. A 43-year-old white male died of metastatic malignant melanoma. During his illness he manifested signs of aortic insufficiency. At autopsy there was found, in addition to the neoplastic disease, a healed dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta, forming a "double-barreled" aorta. Microscopic examination showed the typical changes of cystic medial necrosis. There was no significant atherosclerosis. The relationship of dissecting aneurysm to cystic medial necrosis is discussed.