Computed tomographic demonstration of aortic transection at the diaphragmatic hiatus

A rare case of dissection of the descending aorta at the level of the diaphragmatic hiatus is presented.     

分体式支架-移植物治疗主动脉病变的初步报告

目的 介绍分体式支架-移植物（separating stent—graft）及其早期应用体会。方法 器械采用12F输送器，先后1次性经皮穿刺置入主动脉分体式支架-移植物的外、内两部分。4例患者为主动脉夹层StanfordB型、胸主动脉瘤与腹主动脉瘤。结果 1例夹层破口被封闭，病灶被隔绝；1例胸主动脉瘤病灶被隔绝，有轻度内瘘；2例腹主动脉瘤，瘤体均被隔绝。结论 分体式支架-移植物治疗主动脉夹层与主动脉瘤是1种有效、方便、更安全、更微创的治疗方法。     

Aortic dissection with “normal” chest roentgenogram

Two patients were studied who had aortic dissections and chest roentgenograms not suggestive of that diagnosis. Since a normal chest roentgenogram does not necessarily exclude this diagnosis, aortography is indicated, if aortic dissection is strongly suspected clinically.     

不典型主动脉夹层的多层螺旋CT诊断价值

目的:回顾性分析不典型主动脉夹层(atypical aortic dissection,AAD)的CT表现,探讨螺旋CT诊断AAD的价值。方法:25例AAD患者,全部行平扫及增强扫描,并结合多平面重组、曲面重组等方法显示AAD及穿透溃疡,根据Stan-ford分类法分型。结果:25例AAD,A型7例,B型18例。主要CT表现:主动脉壁呈新月型或环形增厚,无内膜破裂形成的双腔主动脉征象,增强扫描假腔无强化。内膜钙化向内移位7例,穿透性溃疡征3例。并发心包、纵隔及胸腔积液和积血共10例。经内科保守治疗后,6例完全吸收,3例部分不典型吸收,2例无明显变化。结论:螺旋CT清楚显示夹层的部位、范围及并发症,可作为主动脉夹层的首选检查及随访方法。     

Aortic Dissection Presenting with Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension Caused by Compression of the Pulmonary Artery by Dissecting Hematoma: A Case Report

The rupture of an acute dissection of the ascending aorta into the space surrounding the pulmonary artery is an uncommon occurrence. No previous cases of transient pulmonary hypertension caused by a hematoma surrounding the pulmonary artery have been documented in the literature. Herein, we report a case of acute aortic dissection presenting as secondary pulmonary hypertension.     

Percutaneous fenestration of aortic dissection: Salvage of an ischemic solitary left kidney

The false channel of a type III aortic dissection caused acute renal ischemia by compression of the origin of the left renal artery in a patient with status post-right nephrectomy. To relieve the ischemia and restore renal function, percutaneous balloon fenestration was performed successfully.     

胸主动脉夹层动脉瘤X线、超声心动图诊断

目的:在于提高胸主动脉夹层动脉瘤的X线平片诊断.资料与方法:摄心脏常规片10例,其中4例胸透;超声心动图8例.作者分析了其影像表现,并在心脏后前位片上对胸主动脉各部宽度进行了测量.结果:各部测量其平均值均大于正常,升主动脉与弓降部瘤样扩张8例,降主动脉边缘呈波浪状1例.超声心动图探及主动脉内摆动性内膜与夹层6例,升主动脉内破口3例.结论;普通X线检查对诊断本病有重要意义,超声心动图可确诊.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of dissection in pseudocoarctation of the aorta

Two patients with pseudocoarctation complicated by dissection are presented. They are the first cases in which pseudocoarctation with dissection have been imaged by magnetic resonance (MR). MR imaging is an excellent noninvasive modality in the evaluation of dissection in pseudocoarctation of the aorta.     

Radiological evaluation of the ascending aorta following repair of type A dissection

A patient with persistent chronic dissection proximal to an aortic interposition graft for repair of a type A dissection prompted us to review the computed tomographic (CT) findings in 14 other such patients 5–47 months after surgery. No other case of proximal aortic dissection was identified although dilatation of the aortic root proximal to the graft was present in 8 patients (57%). Persistent dissection distal to the graft in 11 patients (79%) was in keeping with that reported by other workers. Chronic dissection proximal to the surgical repair of a dissection seems a rare although important complication     

Unusual manifestations of aortic dissection

Two unusual manifestations of aortic dissection, rupture into the main pulmonary artery and rupture into the inferior vena cava, are presented. The latter complication has not been reported previously in the literature. The value of inferior vena caval oximetry to delineate the site of fistulous communication is stressed.     

The many faces of aortic dissections: Beware of unusual presentations

Aortic dissection is gaining recognition in Western societies, and it is being diagnosed with increasing frequency. New diagnostic imaging modalities, longer life expectancy, as well as the increase in the number patients suffering from hypertension have all contributed to the growing awareness of aortic dissection. Nevertheless, as many as 30% of patients ultimately diagnosed with acute dissection are first thought to be suffering from something else. The increased availability and use of multidetector computed tomography has led to the incidental discovery of aortic dissection in very different settings. This article focuses on unusual presentations of painless aortic dissection. It is important for radiologists to remember that aortic dissections may present in different ways, not only as an acute, critical fatality but also with subtle, unusual signs and symptoms, which apparently do not seem to be strictly related to aortic diseases.     

双源CT对主动脉壁内血肿影像诊断

目的：评价双源CT（DSCT）诊断主动脉壁内血肿的价值。方法：采用西门子DSCT扫描机,连续容积增强扫描,对25例主诉急性胸背痛患者进行DSCT检查并诊断为主动脉壁内血肿。结果：25例按Stanford分型：A型7例,B型18例。DSCT所见主动脉壁内血肿的直接征象：主动脉壁呈新月形或环形增厚≥5mm,无内膜破裂形成的主动脉征象。间接征象：钙化内移7例,穿透性溃疡征12例,主动脉壁粥样硬化改变18例,内膜渗漏5例。并发征象：心包积液5例,胸腔积液14例,主要分支血管受累5例,主动脉夹层3例,主动脉瘤4例。结论：DSCT能为主动脉壁内血肿的诊断和治疗提供重要信息,且便于治疗后随诊观察。     

主动脉不典型夹层的电子束CT诊断

目的 评价电子束CT（EBCT）在主动脉不典型夹层诊断中的临床应用。方法 1994年5月至2000年4月15000例EBCT检查中诊断主动脉夹层263例,其中25例为不典型夹层。男21例,女4例。全部患者均以主诉急性胸痛入院检查。采用Imatron 150-XP型EBCT扫描机,连续容积增强扫描,层厚3mm,扫描时间为0．1s。扫描范围自主动脉弓水平至左右髂动脉分叉处,共140层。结果 不典型夹层EBCT血管造影（EBCTA）：直接征象为:(1)25例主动脉壁均呈半月状或环状增厚,达5－23mm,平均15．3mm,无内膜破裂形成的双腔主动脉征象,CT值50－87HU,累及长度为2．5－49．0cm,平均16．3cm;（2）内膜钙化移位5例;（3）6例治疗后EBCT随访,管壁厚度呈动态变化。间接征象为：（1）主动脉壁增厚溃疡形成7例;（2）动脉粥样硬化性改变12例。上述征象结合临床急性胸痛病史,诊断可以成立。病变累及升主动脉（StanfordA型）6例;仅累及降主动脉（StanfordB型）19例。全部病例临床均采取保守治疗,其中6例EBCT复查,3个月至1年血肿吸收。结论 急诊胸痛鉴别诊断中EBCT对主动脉不典型夹层诊断是一种无创、安全、有效的诊断方法,且便于治疗后随诊观察。     

Computer tomography versus aortography in diagnosis of aortic dissection

The use of computed tomography (CT) versus aortography is evaluated in a limited study of 17 cases of aortic dissection (AD). With the constraints of the present state of the technology and lack of availability of CT scanners at some centers, aortography remains the premier and often the only diagnostic test to choose in an emergency. CT, however, may be an asset in the diagnosis of AD when: (1) atypical or misleading clinical presentations are evident that do not require aortography; (2) aortography is contraindicated in a weakened patient, when there is no emergency; (3) aortography is a risk while there is a strong suggestion of AD; (4) patency of a false channel must be confirmed. These circumstances were encountered in five patients. In addition, a localized infrarenal AD was fortuitously discovered in two patients presenting with abdominal visceral cancer. On patient follow-up, CT is less invasive and may be performed in asymptomatic patients undergoing treatment, thereby facilitating the early detection of complications. Detailed computed tomograms often yield superior diagnostic information only if the CT study includes rapid sequential scans immediately following a fast intravenous bolus of contrast material.     

LONG-TERM RESULTS OF COMBINED SURGICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL INTERVENTION IN COMPLICATED AORTIC DISSECTION TYPE-A: A case report

We report the long-term results of combined surgical and radiological intervention in a patient with complicated aortic dissection, type-A. Following surgical graft-repair of a dissected part of the ascending aorta, embolization of the splenic artery, and stenting of the major abdominal arteries and of the left renal artery, was performed. The patient was able to return to normal active life, and all stented arteries remained patent after 32 months. A stent that was mispositioned across the aortic lumen did not cause any symptoms.     

CT follow-up of medically treated type-B aortic dissection: a case report

The fate of the false lument of a type-B aortic dissection was studied using computed tomography (CT) in a 64-year-old woman with hypertension. The CT follow-up showed the disappearance of the false lumen in the thoracic aorta, shrinkage and thrombosis of the false channel in the proximal abdominal aorta (in these sections no major vesel arose from the false lumen), and persistence of the false lumen in the distal abdominal aorta, where the right common iliac artery arose from the false lumen. Such different findings at the various levels of dissection have not been described previously, and confirm the presumption that the fate of dissection depends on the blood flow in the false channel. Correspondence to: M. Heman     

Tuberculous Aneurysm of the Abdominal Aorta: Endovascular Repair Using Stent Grafts in Two Cases

Tuberculous aneurysm of the aorta is exceedingly rare. To date, the standard therapy for mycotic aneurysm of the abdominal aorta has been surgery involving in-situ graft placement or extra-anatomic bypass surgery followed by effective anti-tuberculous medication. Only recently has the use of a stent graft in the treatment of tuberculous aortic aneurysm been described in the literature. We report two cases in which a tuberculous aneurysm of the abdominal aorta was successfully repaired using endovascular stent grafts. One case involved is a 42-year-old woman with a large suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm and a right psoas abscess, and the other, a 41-year-old man in whom an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptured during surgical drainage of a psoas abscess.     

Artifact in SE phase images can mimic aortic dissection

Phase images of cardiac-triggered thoracic spin-echo scans can present an artifactual border-like feature across the aorta. This may be misinterpreted as a dissection. The artifact results from helical flow in the aorta; cause and appearance of the artifact are discussed.     

Imaging of aortic dissection by helical computed tomography (CT)

Aortic dissection is the most frequent cause of aortic emergency, and its outcome is still frequently fatal. The management of this pathology has changed with the development of endovascular means. Nowadays, imaging modalities are helpful in management decision-making by providing information such as identification of entry tears along the aorta and involvement of the visceral branches of the abdominal aorta. Multi-slice CT scanning now appears to be the modality of choice for complete examination of the entire aorta. We review the parameters of image acquisition and contrast injection; appearances on CT of acute and chronic dissection are illustrated. Diagnostic pitfalls in CT imaging of acute dissection are discussed. Imaging of the post-surgical aorta and of chronic dissection is outlined. Intra-mural hematoma and penetrating aortic ulcer are subtypes of aortic dissection, and their appearances on CT scanning are also presented.     

Treatment of chronic type B aortic dissection with endovascular stent-graft placement

A 74-year-old man with chronic aortic dissection was treated with an endovascular stent graft, fabricated from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and a Z-stent. It was placed in the true lumen to close an entry tear. Closure was obtained immediately and thrombosis of the false lumen at the descending thoracic aorta was observed on computed tomography (CT) obtained 1 week later. No procedure-related complications developed. The patient is doing well with no adverse events including aortic rupture or aortic branch ischemia.