Ultrasound for Critical Care Physicians: Atypical Headache

A 76 year old woman presented with complaints of a new onset of headache especially on the right. Brain CT scan and MRI were unremarkable. Her erythrocyte sedimentation rate was markedly elevated. An ultrasound of the chest was performed (Figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1. Long axis view through the aortic valve area (movie has been slowed).

Figure 2. Transverse view through the aorta (movie has been slowed).

What does the ultrasound show?

1. Aortic aneurysm
2. Aortic insufficiency
3. Aortic stenosis
4. Aortic wall thickening
5. 1 and 2
6. 1 and 4
7. 2 and 4

Reference as: Gotway MB. Ultrasound for critical care physicians: atypical headache. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2013;7(5):289-90. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc125-13 PDF