Radiological detection of aneurysms involving the aortic root.
Dilatation of the aortic root, outlined by a periaortic fat layer, was observed in 19 of 25 successive cases of aneurysm of the ascending aorta. In one of these cases the aneurysm was entirely confined to the aortic root. In two other cases the aneurysms could not be detected on standard chest radiographs judged in the conventional way, because dilatation of the supracardiac portion of the ascending aorta was minimal. It is concluded that an assessment of the size and shape of the aortic root can sometimes be made from full-size lateral chest radiographs by tracing the periaortic fat layer. The resultant additional information can be of value in the early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of aneurysms of the aortic root.
D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*