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Author Spotlight: Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Comprehensive Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta
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Cross-sectional imaging of aortic infections

D J Murphy1, A R Keraliya2, M D Agrawal2

  • 1Division of Non-invasive Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. murphy.84@gmail.com.

Insights Into Imaging
|October 21, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Aortic infections, though rare, lead to severe illness and death. This review highlights how CT, MRI, and PET/CT scans aid in diagnosing these infections, emphasizing the need for radiologist vigilance.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiovascular Imaging

Background:

  • Aortic infections represent uncommon but severe clinical conditions.
  • These infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates.

Approach:

  • This review focuses on the cross-sectional imaging findings of various aortic infections.
  • Emphasis is placed on the appearance of aortic valve endocarditis, pyogenic aortitis, mycotic aneurysms, and aortic graft infections.
  • Key imaging modalities discussed include computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT).

Key Points:

  • CT, MRI, and FDG PET/CT offer complementary roles in the diagnosis of aortic infections.
  • Radiologists must maintain vigilance for imaging manifestations of aortic infections.
  • Timely diagnosis through advanced imaging is crucial for patient outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Aortic infections require prompt recognition due to their high associated risks.
  • Multimodality imaging is essential for comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis.
  • Radiologist awareness and expertise are critical for effective management of aortic infections.
Keywords:
AortaComputed tomographyEndocarditisInfectionMagnetic resonance angiography

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