Coarctation of the aorta: additional signs

Rib notching and the figure-three configuration and the most often cited signs of coarctation of the thoracic aorta in the adult. In our experience, these so-called classic signs are absent in many patients. Abnormalities of the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and superior mediastinum are also major findings and indeed may be the only findings in coarctation. This has not been sufficiently emphasized in standard radiology texts. In order to elucidate these points, we reviewed the chest radiographs of 13 patients with adult-type coarctation of the aorta presenting to the Jewish General Hospital over a 10-year period. In addition, the chest radiographic findings of five patients with pseudocoarctation were compared to those of true coarctation.