title: [Aortic elongation: merely mimicked in increased thoracic kyphosis? radiologic-pathologic correlation].
abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to demonstrate that the radiologically "elongated" thoracic aorta corresponds to an increase in anatomical aortic length and is not merely mimicked by increased thoracic kyphosis with shortening of the thoracic cage. 50 consecutive autopsies were included (age at death: 33-90 years, mean 65.1 years). Radiologically, mediastinal width was measured on in vivo posteroanterior radiographs, and a scoring system was used to assess aortic elongation semiquantitatively. The angle of kyphosis was measured on lateral in vivo radiographs that had been obtained in a standardized fashion. With relative aortic length defined as anatomical aortic length divided by body length, there was a statistically significant correlation with radiological mediastinal width and the radiological scoring system (p < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant correlation between relative aortic length and radiological mediastinal width (p = 0.47) and the radiological scoring system (p = 0.56). Therefore, the radiological diagnosis of aortic elongation appears to correspond to true aortic lengthening.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Diagnostische Radiologie, Universität, Inselspital Bern.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hodler
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vock
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schaffner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D001699:Biometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography
vernacular_title: Aortenelongation: durch vermehrte BWS-Kyphose nur vorgetäuscht? Radiologisch-pathologische Korrelation.