ORCID

0000-0001-6210-9667 (Lo)

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

DOI

10.5811/cpcem.49096

Publication Title

Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine

Volume

10

Issue

1

Pages

55-58

Abstract

Introduction: Aortic dissection is a rare but life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate if diagnosis is delayed. Aortic dissection classically presents with sudden-onset, sharp pain in the chest or back. However, atypical presentations can also occur, which could lead to a delay in diagnosis.

Case Report: A patient initially presented to the emergency department (ED) with left testicular pain ongoing for several hours. On examination, he had tenderness in the left lower quadrant abdomen and left testicle. A testicular ultrasound revealed decreased blood flow to the left testicle, raising concern for testicular torsion. The patient was taken to the operating room, where no torsion was found, and he was subsequently discharged home. Several days later, the patient returned to the ED with worsening pain radiating to the back. A computed tomography revealed an acute type A aortic dissection extending to the iliac arteries. He was transferred for surgical repair and discharged 12 days later.

Conclusion: While acute aortic dissection (AAD) typically presents with chest or back pain, atypical presentations can occur. When initial findings do not fully explain a patient’s symptoms, AAD should remain on the differential. This case highlights an uncommon presentation of AAD initially mimicking a testicular torsion.

Rights

© 2026 The Authors.

This work is made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.

Original Publication Citation

Lo, B. M., Christensen, M. K., Byrns, C. E., & Chidester, B. (2026). Acute aortic dissection masquerading as testicular torsion: A case report. Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine, 10(1), 55-58. https://doi.org/10.5811/cpcem.49096

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