Aortic Dissection

I had a patient this week that was involved in an MVA last year, but was still having some back pain. She had an MRI T-spine that showed a fractured vertebra and a possible tear in the aorta. The referring physician wanted her to have a CTA of the abdomen and pelvis. The results were astonishing! She had a dissected aorta that went from the ascending aorta, down through the descending aorta, and even went through the bifurcation into the right common iliac artery. The study stopped right under the ischial tuberosity, but the dissection was still continuing! She is only in her 50's and I can't believe she is still living and not having too many problems with it!