Cystic medial necrosis

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Cystic medial necrosis (also referred to as cystic medial degneration) is a disorder of large arteries, in particular the aorta, where there is a focal degeneration of the elastic tissue and the muscle in the tunica media (the middle layer of the artery), with the presence of mucoid material in the media. It is more frequent after 40 years of age and is twice as common in males as in females.

In the aorta, this condition may lead to weakening of the artery, resulting in the formation of a fusiform aneurysm. There is also increased risk of aortic dissection.

There is an association between cystic medial necrosis and Marfan syndrome.