[Dissection in an adult with dilatation of the ascendent aorta diagnosed in childhood]. / Dissecção no adulto em dilatação de aorta ascendente diagnosticada na infância.

Dilatation of the ascending aorta is relatively infrequent during childhood. Besides the Marfan syndrome, the congenital origin should be considered. We report a patient with dilatation of the ascending aorta diagnosed at the age of 10 who presented acute aortic dissection and rupture after a 13-year period of follow-up. Several aspects of the proper diagnosis are discussed.