What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the efficacy and diagnostic utility of computed tomography in detecting and assessing aortic dissection.

July 1, 1980Radiology67 citations

Computed tomography of aortic dissection.

DLD LardéSorbonne Université CBC BelloirCentre Hospitalier Universitaire Henri-Mondor NVN VasileService de la Santé Publique

Key Points

To evaluate the efficacy and diagnostic utility of computed tomography in detecting and assessing aortic dissection.
Examined 17 patients via computed tomography, comprising 14 suspected of thoracic aortic dissection, 2 with suspected abdominal extensions, and 1 status-post surgical repair.
Confirmed imaging findings through subsequent angiography or necropsy examination, alongside clinical follow-up.
Computed tomography successfully visualized localized increase of aortic caliber, displaced intimal calcifications, intimal flaps, and false channels, which were verified by angiography or autopsy.
Two patients with normal computed tomography scans experienced favorable outcomes without evidence of dissection.

Abstract

Fourteen patients suspected of having dissection of the thoracic aorta, two with possible extensions into the abdomen of previously diagnosed dissection of the thoracic aorta, and one patient who had undergone surgical repair of an aortic dissection were examined by CT (computed tomography). Findings included localized increase of the aortic caliber, displaced intimal calcifications, intimal flaps, and false channels. These findings were confirmed by angiography or at necropsy. Two patients in whom CT showed no abnormalities had a favorable outcome. The authors conclude that CT is the examination of choice in removing doubt from the clinical diagnosis of aortic dissection.

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