title: Acute aortic syndrome: CT findings.
abstract: Acute aortic syndrome (AAS) is a constellation of potentially life-threatening acute aortic diseases. The spectrum includes penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer, intramural haematoma, dissection, and unstable thoracic aneurysm. AAS cannot be reliably diagnosed clinically and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has revolutionized the diagnosis and management of this group of conditions in the acute setting due to its availability, speed, and accuracy. The purpose of this review is to illustrate key MDCT findings of AAS. Imaging techniques, radiological findings, and common pitfalls are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK.
authors.forename: K W H
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lakshminarayan
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Ettles
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016477:Artifacts; D055424:Cardiac-Gated Imaging Techniques; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D013577:Syndrome