Transesophageal echocardiography for ascending aortic dissection: is it enough for surgical intervention?
BACKGROUND
Acute ascending aortic dissection is a surgical emergency that requires expeditious diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention. In many centers, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the test of choice on which surgical decisions are based. Echocardiographic false-positive diagnoses are rare but can occur with potentially severe consequences.


METHODS
Two clinical cases where ascending aortic dissections were falsely diagnosed by TEE are presented.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent literature comparing the diagnostic accuracy of TEE and other imaging techniques are reviewed. Anatomical limitations of TEE and potential causes of false-positive results are discussed. Multiplane probe reduces, but does not eliminate, the occurrence of false-positive findings. To improve diagnostic specificity without undue delays in the course of clinical decision making, we recommend dividing positive TEE findings into "definite" and "probable" categories. Such subclassification is helpful in identifying cases where additional confirmatory tests are desirable in situations of uncertain diagnosis.
Chu
V F
VF
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. fchu2@po-box.mcgill.ca
Chow
C M
CM
Stewart
J
J
Chiu
R C
RC
Mulder
D S
DS
D000328:Adult; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001027:Aortography; D003657:Decision Making; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000145:classification; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity