CASE HISTORY

The specimen was found at routine autopsy on a patient dying of chronic bronchitis and emphysema with terminal bronchopneumonia. During life the peripheral arteries were thick and tortuous and the BP was 110/60. The calcification in the aorta was visible radiologically.

PATHOLOGY

The descending thoracic and the first part of the abdominal aorta have been mounted. The inner surface is irregular and severely ulcerated and many of the ulcerated patches are covered by thrombus. There is an extreme degree of calcification. This was so marked that at autopsy this part of the aorta formed a rigid tube which could only be opened with difficulty. The process is remarkably closely confined to the thoracic portion. There are no scars or other evidence of syphilis. The affected portion of the aorta was dilated.