Helical (spiral) CT in the evaluation of emergent thoracic aortic syndromes. Traumatic aortic rupture, aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer.
For the near future, CT will play the critical and dominant role in the evaluation of patients presenting with emergent aortic syndromes. Its convenience, accuracy, and utility in the rapid evaluation of not just the aorta, but the entire thorax, make it ideally suited for use in emergency settings. Further benefits are likely to be realized in speed and resolution with multislice CT, although it is as yet not widely available.
Ledbetter
S
S
Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Stuk
J L
JL
Kaufman
J A
JA
D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods