Diagnostic dilemma in spontaneous innominate artery pathology: a case report.

We report the case of a 71-year-old female who presented with sudden onset of right cervical pain and ipsilateral arm hypoaesthesia. The diagnostic evaluation revealed a pathology of the origin of the innominate artery (IA). The differential diagnosis was among a spontaneous acute dissection and a ruptured pseudoaneurysm. The dilemma of the proper treatment emerged. Surgical or medical treatment? Open or endovascular approach? The patient was offered an open treatment under cardiopulmonary bypass and sort circulatory arrest. As less than ten cases of isolated IA dissection have been previously reported in the literature, we discuss the differential diagnosis difficulties and the treatment options.