title: Pitfalls of CT diagnosis of aortic dissection: nonvisualized intimal flap in the ascending aorta or aortic arch.
abstract: We describe our experience with initial CT scans that failed to demonstrate an intimal flap in the ascending aorta or aortic arch that was subsequently identified on echocardiography, angiography, or MR imaging in four patients. This problem was presumably caused by the flailing motion of a thin intimal flap and localized small dissection in the ascending aorta, or transverse intimal flap within the aortic arch. Radiologists should be aware of this pitfall in CT diagnostic imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Yokohama Seibu Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuroki
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohyama
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures