Periaortic air in native and post-operative aorta on computed tomography

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Aortic Diseases

Background:

• Periaortic air is an imaging finding with diverse causes, ranging from benign to life-threatening.
• Differentiating causes is crucial as patient management varies significantly based on etiology.
• The aorta, both native and post-operative, presents unique challenges in diagnosing periaortic air.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive pictorial review of conditions causing periaortic air.
• To highlight the salient imaging features differentiating various etiologies.
• To emphasize the radiologist's role in guiding patient management through accurate diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional imaging, primarily computed tomography (CT), was utilized.
• A review of diverse clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings associated with periaortic air was conducted.
• Cases were categorized based on the presence of periaortic air in native versus postoperative aortas.

Main Results:

• Computed tomography is indispensable for identifying periaortic air and associated findings.
• Specific imaging features help distinguish between various causes of periaortic air.
• The interpretation of periaortic air in conjunction with clinical data is key to diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Accurate diagnosis of periaortic air requires integrating imaging findings with clinical context.
• Radiological interpretation of periaortic air significantly influences treatment decisions, from conservative management to surgery.
• This review aids radiologists in recognizing and diagnosing the spectrum of periaortic air etiologies.