Paraplegia of Lower Limbs Caused by a Segmental Thrombosis of the Descending Thoracic Aorta Reversed with Endovascular Treatment—A Case Report and Literature Review

Transient paraplegia of the lower limbs is a rare condition and, when has a vascular etiology, is usually associated with thromboembolic events, aortic dissection, aortic aneurysms, or as a complication of the surgical correction of those diseases. There is no case reported of acute paraplegia caused by a segmental thrombotic subocclusion of the descending thoracic aorta. We report a not yet described clinical situation of a young patient (51 years) admitted to the emergency care department for treatment of systemic arterial hypertension of difficult control with 4 antihypertensive medication classes. At the intensive care unit for treatment with intravenous antihypertensive medication, the patient evolved with acute paraplegia and a segmental thrombotic subocclusion of the descending thoracic aorta was diagnosed. He was submitted to endovascular treatment with total recovery of the deficits. The previously normal descending thoracic aorta may be a site of segmental thrombosis and may lead to paraplegia. Early endovascular treatment can reverse this type of situation.