Radiological diagnosis of the thoracic aortic aneurysm

Indications and the diagnostic value of radiological investigation methods in thoracic aortoaneurysm are reported. The suspected diagnosis can already be made on the basis of conventional x-ray examination of the thorax. Computer tomography (CT) with i.v. administration of contrast medium allows unequivocal identification of a mediastinal space occupation as an aneurysm. However, preoperative angiography is indispensable in many cases for appraisal of the vessel origins. Depending on the condition to be investigated, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) which is carried out with i.v. or i.a. injection of contrast medium has replaced conventional angiography here. Nuclear magnetic resonance tomography has only minor importance so far despite the good imaging of the aorta.