AORTIC WALL THICKNESS AS AN UNRELIABLE SIGN IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF DISSECTING ANEURYSM OF THE THORACIC AORTA

Abstract

An increase in the aortic wall thickness of more than 4 to 5 mm. has been considered to be a diagnostic criterion for dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta. We have noted increase of the aortic wall thickness greater than 5 mm. in 3 cases where this increase was due to fat. The differential diagnosis of an increase in aortic wall thickness should include; normal (fat), dissecting aneurysm, arteriosclerotic disease with intraluminal clot formation, sclerosing aortitis, and neoplasm surrounding the wall of the thoracic aorta.