Role of computed tomography angiography in the evaluation of aortic dissection and endoleak

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a non-invasive imaging modality that has revolutionized the diagnosis and management of arterial dissection and endoleak. It allows for high-resolution imaging of the arterial lumen and wall, as well as visualization of the flow dynamics within the vessel. Several studies show the utility of CTA in the management of dissection and endoleak. Most of analyzed retrospective studies show that CTA have a sensitivity of 98.7% and a specificity of 97.4% for detecting aortic dissection when compared to the reference standard of surgical pathology or clinical follow-up. Similarly, with patients who undergoing EVAR, CTA was found to have a sensitivity of 97.8% and a specificity of 100% for detecting endoleaks, with a positive predictive value of 100%. CTA is a valuable imaging modality in the evaluation and management of dissection and endoleak. It provides accurate and detailed information about the extent and severity of the pathology, and allows for targeted and effective management. This narrative review underlines the crucial role of CTA in the diagnosis of aortic dissection and endoleak; key management issues are also described.