False lumens in type III aortic dissections: progress CT study.

The fate of false lumens in 13 patients having Type III aortic dissections was studied using computed tomography (CT). Contrast media filled false lumens with or without thrombosis were observed in ten patients; the false lumens of three patients were entirely thrombosed at initial examination. Follow-up CT studies showed shrinkage or disappearance of the false lumens with thrombosis in four patients, progression of thrombosis in two patients, and enlargement of the false lumen in one patient who subsequently required surgical repair. No change was observed in the remaining six patients during our observation period. CT study provides useful information for evaluating the efficacy of medical treatment and the timing of surgical intervention during follow-up evaluation of medically treated Type III aortic dissections.