title: [Dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta--the value of computed tomography].
abstract: For the detection and classification of dissection of the thoracic aorta, in cases where a corresponding tentative diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical and plain thorax radiographs with intravenous contrast medium, computed tomography is the method of choice. In cases in which, primarily, a Type A dissection is suspected, catheter angiography is to be preferred to CT, in spite of being the more invasive method, because it is the only method capable of supplying the information necessary for surgery. In all other cases of dissection of the thoracic aorta computed tomography has the highest clinical-diagnostic value. It furnishes an initial finding on the basis of which the course may be monitored without difficulty where there is a corresponding clinical indication. It is as yet impossible to judge how far routine magnetic resonance imaging will supplant or complement CT in making the initial clinical diagnosis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
vernacular_title: Aneurysma dissecans der Aorta thoracalis--Stellenwert der Computertomographie.