title: Aortic aneurysm and dissection: normal MR imaging and CT findings after surgical repair with the continuous-suture graft-inclusion technique.
abstract: The normal range of postoperative imaging findings are described in 34 asymptomatic patients studied 5-66 months (mean, 28 months) after undergoing the continuous-suture graft-inclusion technique for repair of aortic aneurysms (n = 20) and dissections (n = 14) involving the ascending aorta. All 34 patients underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and 24 patients also underwent computed tomography (CT). Perigraft thickening was seen in 19 patients (56%) with MR imaging and in eight patients (33%) with CT. Flow outside the graft but contained within the native wrap was noted in five patients (15%) with MR imaging and in four patients (17%) with contrast material-enhanced CT. Thrombus was identified outside the graft and within the wrap in seven patients (21%) with MR imaging and in six patients (25%) with CT. Mass effect on the graft was depicted in four patients (12%) with MR imaging and in three patients (13%) with CT. Of the 14 patients who underwent repair of aortic dissections, an intimal flap was seen distal to the graft in seven of the 14 (50%) evaluated with MR imaging and in four of the 10 (40%) evaluated with contrast-enhanced CT. An accurate postoperative imaging evaluation requires precise knowledge of the surgical technique performed and its anatomic consequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, New York University Medical Center, NY 10016.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Rofsky
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Weinreb
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Grossi
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Galloway
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Libes
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Colvin
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Naidich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed