Acute aortic syndrome(AAS) is a spectrum of conditions, which may ultimately progress to potentially life-threatening aortic rupture. This syndrome encompasses aortic dissection(AD), intramural haematoma, penetrating ...Acute aortic syndrome(AAS) is a spectrum of conditions, which may ultimately progress to potentially life-threatening aortic rupture. This syndrome encompasses aortic dissection(AD), intramural haematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer and unstable thoracic aortic aneurysms. Multi-detector CT(MDCT) is crucial for the diagnosis of AAS, especially in the emergency setting due to its speed, accuracy and ready availability. This review attends to the value of appropriate imaging protocols in obtaining good quality images that can permit a confident diagnosis of AAS. AD is the most commonly encountered AAS and also the one with maximum potential to cause catastrophic outcome if not diagnosed and managed promptly. Hence, this review briefly addresses certain relevant clinical perspectives on this condition. Differentiating the false from the true lumen in AD is often essential; a spectrum of CT findings, e.g., "beak sign", aortic "cobwebs" that allows such differentiation have been described with explicit illustrations. The value of non enhanced CT scans, especially useful in the diagnosis of an intramural hematoma has also been illustrated. Overlap in the clinical and imaging features of the various conditions presenting as AAS is not unusual. However, on most instances MDCT enables the rightdiagnosis. On select occasions MRI or trans-esophageal echocardiography may be required as a problem solving tool.展开更多
Conventional ultrasound （US） is the most widely used imaging modality in routine clinical practice worldwide. The limitations of conventional ultrasound in the detection of aortic lesions versus multi-slice compute...Conventional ultrasound （US） is the most widely used imaging modality in routine clinical practice worldwide. The limitations of conventional ultrasound in the detection of aortic lesions versus multi-slice computed tomography angiography （MS-CTA） are well known.展开更多
Hemothorax caused by rupture of aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection is an uncommon manifestation and carries a high mortality rate. We report two cases of 75- and 80-year-old men, who were referred to our department ...Hemothorax caused by rupture of aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection is an uncommon manifestation and carries a high mortality rate. We report two cases of 75- and 80-year-old men, who were referred to our department for exploration of a left pleural opacity. Thoracentesis produced a hemorrhagic fluid. The computed tomography scan revealed an aortic dissection type B of Stanford in the first case and an aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta in the second patient. Emergency operation was performed in the first case but the patient died of multiple organ failure 48 hours after surgery. Aortic dissection or aneurysm can result in a hemothorax especially in patient with favourable conditions such as elderly patient and systemic hypertension. Diagnosis relies on computed tomography (CT) scan and echocardiography.展开更多
文摘Acute aortic syndrome(AAS) is a spectrum of conditions, which may ultimately progress to potentially life-threatening aortic rupture. This syndrome encompasses aortic dissection(AD), intramural haematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer and unstable thoracic aortic aneurysms. Multi-detector CT(MDCT) is crucial for the diagnosis of AAS, especially in the emergency setting due to its speed, accuracy and ready availability. This review attends to the value of appropriate imaging protocols in obtaining good quality images that can permit a confident diagnosis of AAS. AD is the most commonly encountered AAS and also the one with maximum potential to cause catastrophic outcome if not diagnosed and managed promptly. Hence, this review briefly addresses certain relevant clinical perspectives on this condition. Differentiating the false from the true lumen in AD is often essential; a spectrum of CT findings, e.g., "beak sign", aortic "cobwebs" that allows such differentiation have been described with explicit illustrations. The value of non enhanced CT scans, especially useful in the diagnosis of an intramural hematoma has also been illustrated. Overlap in the clinical and imaging features of the various conditions presenting as AAS is not unusual. However, on most instances MDCT enables the rightdiagnosis. On select occasions MRI or trans-esophageal echocardiography may be required as a problem solving tool.
文摘Conventional ultrasound （US） is the most widely used imaging modality in routine clinical practice worldwide. The limitations of conventional ultrasound in the detection of aortic lesions versus multi-slice computed tomography angiography （MS-CTA） are well known.
文摘Hemothorax caused by rupture of aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection is an uncommon manifestation and carries a high mortality rate. We report two cases of 75- and 80-year-old men, who were referred to our department for exploration of a left pleural opacity. Thoracentesis produced a hemorrhagic fluid. The computed tomography scan revealed an aortic dissection type B of Stanford in the first case and an aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta in the second patient. Emergency operation was performed in the first case but the patient died of multiple organ failure 48 hours after surgery. Aortic dissection or aneurysm can result in a hemothorax especially in patient with favourable conditions such as elderly patient and systemic hypertension. Diagnosis relies on computed tomography (CT) scan and echocardiography.
