MR evaluation of chronic aortic dissection

Thirty patients with suspected or known chronic aortic dissection were imaged with magnetic resonance (MR), CT, and angiography. Five of these patients had previously undergone surgical repair of the ascending aorta for a type A dissection. Magnetic resonance demonstrated an intimal flap and a double lumen in 25 cases. In four cases with a thrombosed false lumen, proved angiographically, an intimal flap and double channel were not seen. In two of four aortic dissections with a thrombosed false lumen, CT made the diagnosis by showing displaced intimal calcifications not visualized on MR. In one case the aortic dissection was made on CT and angiography but was not supported by MR which showed an aortic aneurysm, subsequently confirmed at surgery. Magnetic resonance, CT, and aortography differentiated between type A (nine patients) or B (20 patients) dissection in all cases and demonstrated extension into the abdominal aorta. Extension into the iliac arteries was seen on MR in three patients but missed in nine patients. Magnetic resonance differentiated the true and false lumen in all but one case. Thrombosis of the false channel was identified in four cases by a decrease in signal intensity on the second echo image. Cardiac gating and longitudinal contiguous sections seemed to be more suitable for appreciation of the relationships with arch vessels. Transverse contiguous slices allowed determination of the origin of celiac, mesenteric, and renal arteries from either the true or the false lumen. This study confirms that MR is an accurate and noninvasive method for the evaluation and follow-up of chronic aortic dissection, obviating the need for iodinated contrast media.