Case-Specific CT Imaging to Evaluate Thoracic Aortic Pathologies

Abstract

CT angiography has become the main imaging method used for the assessment of the thoracic aorta (Fig. 10.1). It is preferable that any patient being evaluated for a thoracic aortic procedure have imaging of the entire aorta commencing above the aortic arch and extending inferiorly to include the abdominal aorta and the iliac arteries as far as the inguinal ligament. Use of multiplanar reconstructions (MPR) and maximum intensity projection (MIP) images on the CT workstation enables review of the location and extent of the aortic lesion, the presence of proximal and distal landing zones for an endograft(s), the configuration of the aorta and iliac vessels with regard to tortuosity and kinking which might cause problems in delivery of the endograft to the required site and review the access site and iliac arteries for their diameter and amount of calcification.