Radiologic Notes in Cardiology

Abstract

The diagnosis of a dissecting aneurysm can be suggested by the clinical findings or plain films of the chest but a definitive diagnosis cannot be made without angiography. Selective aortography is the procedure of choice as it provides the maximum amount of information at a relatively low risk. Important diagnostic findings include a double lumen within the aorta, separation of the opacified channels by a linear lucency, absence of filling of one or more major branches of the abdominal aorta, or a thickening of the aortic wall when there is no flow in the false channel. Because of the seriousness of the lesion, once the diagnosis of a dissecting aneurysm is suggested, aortography should be performed with a minimum of delay.