الفهرس 
Anatomy of the thoracic aortaOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 129 |  |  |
| | | from | 129 | | |
Abstract
The development of multidetector-row CT (MDCT) technology has revolutionized the ability to image the thoracic aorta non-invasively.
MDCT allows scanning with greater speed and narrower collimation compared with single-detector helical CT systems, which translates to larger volumes of coverage with improved spatial resolution. The promise of isotropic voxel imaging may be realized with MDCT, and should dramatically improve the quality of the acquired datasets and provide very high quality image postprocessing. Because of faster imaging, MDCT also decreases the need for sedation in pediatric patients and thereby reduces imaging costs and resource usage.
Clinical examination and preliminary chest radiography is the first step in evaluating patients with suspected aortic arch lesions followed by CTA of thoracic aorta for definite diagnosis.
Multidetector-row CT aortography (MDCTA) possesses several advantages over other modalities used to investigate thoracic aortic disease, such as trans-esophageal echography (TEE), MR angiography, and catheter angiography. The speed and ease of MDCT make it the examination of choice for acute aortic diseases.
MDCT is not operator-dependent as TEE and is easier and faster to perform than either MR imaging or aortography. These considerations are particularly advantageous in acutely ill patients. Another benefit of MDCT that these other methods do not have the ability to effectively image other thoracic organs, especially the lung tissues and pleural space. This is particularly important because cardiovascular diseases frequently present with non-specific symptoms, and nonvascular etiologies of the patient’s presentation may be obvious with CT. Finally, the volumetric data obtained with MDCTA is readily processed using two-dimensional, three-dimensional, or volume-rendering techniques to provide angiogram-like images or images in any desired plane or obliquity.
Conclusion:
MDCTA has proven to be a reliable method in diagnosing various aortic diseases. It is also a practical imaging modality that can replace conventional catheter angiography and possesses several advantages over other modalities used to investigate thoracic aortic diseases. It is the modality of choice in critical cases presenting with acute aortic conditions.