MRI of acute and chronic aortic pathology: pre-operative and postoperative evaluation.
With recent advances in the understanding of aortic diseases, both power and versatility have put magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the focus of diagnostic work-up in the entire spectrum of clinical aortic pathology. Technical refinements, from classic anatomic imaging to three-dimensional gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography and tissue characterization, have rendered MRI ideal for assessment of acquired disease such as aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, and aneurysm, along with postoperative follow-up evaluation, with better reliability and safety than other imaging modalities. Moreover, congenital pathology of the aorta, including aortic arch anomalies and coarctation, can be non-invasively evaluated by MRI. With spectroscopy and the advent of high-resolution intravascular coils, MRI may even provide histopathologic and potentially prognostic information unparalleled by any other method. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 1999;10:741-750.
Fattori
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Department of Radiology, University Hospital S. Orsola, 40138 Bologna, Italy. ross@med.unibo.it
Nienaber
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CA
D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods