Multislice CT virtual intravascular endoscopy of aortic dissection: A pictorial essay

To present our experience of using 3D virtual intravascular endoscopy (VIE) to characterize and evaluate the intraluminal appearances of aortic dissection.

Ten patients with known aortic dissection underwent dual-source computed tomography angiography and were included in the study. In addition to 2D axial and multiplanar reformatted images as well as 3D reconstructions, VIE images were created in each patient to demonstrate intraluminal views of the aorta and its branches, origin of artery branches and artery branch involvement by aortic dissection.

Stanford A dissection was found in 8 patients and B dissection in the remaining 2 patients. VIE images were successfully generated in all of the patients with excellent visualization of the normal anatomical structures, intimal flap and intimal entrance tear, communication between true and false lumens, as well as assessment of the extent of aortic dissection.

Our preliminary experience suggests that VIE could be used as a complementary tool to assist radiologists accurately evaluate aortic dissection so that better patient management can be achieved.