Causes can include aortic dissection (which is the most common type), intramural hematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer or a thoracic aneurysm that has become unstable. The potential causes of<unk>  are life-threatening and present with similar symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish the ultimate cause, though high resolution, high contrast computerised tomography can be used.
Acute aortic syndrome
Aortic dissection
Aortic rupture
Traumatic aortic rupture
Thoracic aortic aneurysm
Subclavian steal syndrome
Inferior vena cava syndrome
Acute pericarditis