Einstein

PC: Upper abdominal pain associated with vomiting. Risk factors: overweight, heavy smoker. OE: expansile, pulsatile central abdominal mass. Dx: AAA. Mgmt: Referred to Dr. Rudolph Nissen, of Nissen’s fundoplication fame.

Op notes: Nissen wrapped an external support made of cellophane to strengthen the aneurysm.

Post-op: Five years later, on Friday,  April 15, 1955, Albert was admitted to Princeton Hospital. His presenting complaint was diffuse abdominal pain, localised to RUQ, with assoc RUQ palpable mass. Dx: ruptured/leaking AAA with chronic cholecystitis. RIP 18/04/1955. Autopsy: Normal gallbladder. Haemorrhage compressed gall-bladder causing symptoms of cholecystitis.