Diagnostic imaging of aortic atherosclerosis and its complications.
Thoracic aortic atherosclerosis has been shown to be an important cause of severe morbidity and mortality. At the present time, the case of performance, detailed information obtainable, and availability make TEE the procedure of choice for the imaging of thoracic aortic atherosclerosis; however, further technical advances in MR and CT, particularly in MR plaque characterization and the use of plaque specific contrast agents, may allow for a less invasive and more complete evaluation of thoracic aortic atherosclerosis in the near future. Gadolinium-enhanced 3DMRA is the procedure of choice for the noninvasive detection of plaque in the proximal aortic arch vessels. Furthermore, both CT and MRI are better suited to evaluate penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers and their complications such as intramural hematoma, pseudoaneurysm formation, and aortic rupture.
Krinsky
Glenn A
GA
Department of Radiology, New York University Medical Center, 530 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA. Glenn.Krinsky@med.nyu.edu
D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001027:Aortography; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014456:Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology
D003287:Contrast Media