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Aortic band: a rare mimicker of aortic dissection

Damandeep Singh1, Lamk Kadiyani2, Niraj Nirmal Pandey1

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Radiology & Endovascular Interventions, Cardiothoracic and Neurosciences Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Acta Cardiologica
|May 21, 2026
PubMed

Insights

A rare linear band in the aorta was found in a Tetralogy of Fallot patient using cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA). This finding, mimicking aortic dissection, underscores CCTA

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

  • Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a complex congenital heart defect requiring careful preoperative assessment.
  • Uncommon aortic anomalies can complicate surgical planning and diagnostic interpretation.
  • Distinguishing benign anatomical variants from pathological conditions like aortic dissection is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a unique case of an incidental aortic finding in a TOF patient.
  • To illustrate the utility of electrocardiogram-gated cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in identifying subtle aortic abnormalities.
  • To emphasize the importance of accurate imaging interpretation to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions.

Main Methods:

  • A 21-year-old male with diagnosed Tetralogy of Fallot underwent preoperative evaluation.
  • Electrocardiogram-gated cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) was performed.
  • Imaging analysis focused on the ascending aorta and its relationship to major branches.

Main Results:

  • CCTA identified a linear hypodense band within the ascending aorta, proximal to the right brachiocephalic trunk.
  • This band connected the anterior and posterior aortic walls, representing an unusual anatomical variant.
  • The finding mimicked the appearance of aortic dissection on initial review.

Conclusions:

  • Electrocardiogram-gated cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is valuable for detecting rare aortic anatomical entities.
  • This specific finding, though appearing concerning, is likely an indolent variant.
  • Accurate identification of such entities prevents misdiagnosis of aortic dissection and avoids unnecessary emergent surgical procedures.

Keywords:
Aortic bandaortic dissectioncardiac computed tomography angiographytetralogy of Fallot

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