Acute Aortic Dissection-Induced Paraplegia And Respiratory Distress Mimicking The Ascending Flaccid Paralysis Of Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Aortic dissection is a devastating disease with protean clinical manifestations. Given the high mortality within the initial few hours after onset, it is important to maintain a high level of suspicion for this diagnosis. Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder of the peripheral nervous system and is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis since the worldwide eradication of poliomyelitis. Here, we report on a 55-year-old woman who presented with aortic dissection-induced paraplegia and respiratory distress resembling the ascending flaccid paralysis of GBS. The patient had complained of progressive weakness of the lower extremities for 4 days. Ascending flaccid paralysis of GBS was suspected. However, chest computed tomography revealed expansion of the aorta with visible dissection, and acute aortic dissection was diagnosed. In conclusion, aortic dissection might be misdiagnosed due to its protean manifestations.