Related Experiment Videos
Evaluation of dissections and aneurysms of the thoracic aorta by conventional and dynamic CT scanning
Insights
Computed tomography (CT) is an effective, noninvasive imaging tool for diagnosing thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. It can visualize key features, assess true and false lumen filling, and avoid some invasive procedures.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Cardiovascular Imaging
Background:
- Computed tomography (CT) is a valuable tool for evaluating thoracic aortic pathology.
- Conventional CT with contrast effectively visualizes aneurysm features like dilatation and calcification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the diagnostic capabilities of CT in thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections.
- To emphasize CT's role in assessing true and false lumen dynamics and intimal flaps.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing conventional CT with intravenous contrast injection.
- Employing dynamic CT with contrast bolus for detailed lumen assessment.
- Generating reformatted CT images (paraxial, oblique) for comprehensive aortic visualization.
Main Results:
- CT accurately demonstrates aneurysm features and establishes aortic dissection diagnosis via intimal flaps or displaced calcifications.
- Dynamic CT clarifies the filling rates of true and false lumens and intimal flap clarity.
- Reformatted images provide aortogram-like views of the entire thoracic aorta.
Conclusions:
- CT is a safe, noninvasive, and repeatable screening procedure for thoracic aortic diseases.
- CT can potentially reduce the need for invasive angiographic procedures.
- CT offers comprehensive evaluation of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections.
Abstract:
Conventional computed tomography (CT) with intravenous contrast injection effectively demonstrates the features of aneurysms of the thoracic aorta (dilatation, calcification, intraluminal thrombus, and displacement and erosion of adjacent structures). In aortic dissection, CT can establish the diagnosis by demonstrating (a) double channels with an intimal flap or (b) displaced intimal calcifications if one channel is thrombosed. Dynamic CT following a contrast bolus shows the relative rate of filling of the true and false channels and demonstrates the intimal flap with optimum clarity. Reformatted CT images (paraxial and oblique) display the entire thoracic aorta in the plane of the arch, resembling an aortogram. CT is noninvasive and can be easily repeated to assess progress. Although aortography is still required prior to surgery in some cases, CT is a safe screening procedure that may avoid some invasive angiographic procedures.