Computed Tomography Imaging Findings of Acute Aortic Pathologies
Elif S Duran1, Farhan Ahmad2, Mohamed Elshikh2
1Radiology, University of Texas Health Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, Edinburg, USA.
Cureus
|November 6, 2019
Summary
Acute aortic syndromes (AAS) require prompt diagnosis. ECG-gated MDCT is a powerful tool for rapidly and accurately diagnosing AAS, differentiating between conditions like aortic dissection and intramural hematoma.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Radiology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Acute aortic syndromes (AAS) are life-threatening emergencies.
- AAS include aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer, and aneurysm rupture.
- Clinical presentation alone is insufficient for differentiating AAS types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) in assessing AAS.
- To discuss differentiating AAS using key imaging findings.
- To highlight the diagnostic capabilities of ECG-gated MDCT.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on MDCT in AAS diagnosis.
- Analysis of imaging findings for various AAS subtypes.
- Emphasis on electrocardiographic (ECG)-gated MDCT techniques.
Main Results:
- ECG-gated MDCT enables rapid and specific diagnosis of AAS.
- This imaging modality significantly reduces motion artifacts.
- MDCT effectively differentiates between AAS spectrum diseases.
Conclusions:
- MDCT is crucial for the prompt and accurate diagnosis of AAS.
- ECG-gated MDCT is the preferred imaging technique for AAS assessment.
- Accurate differentiation of AAS subtypes via MDCT is vital for appropriate management.
Keywords:
acute aortic syndromeaortic dissectionintramural hematomamultidetector-row computed tomographypenetrating atherosclerotic ulcerMore Related Videos
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