Imaging of the Aorta

Abstract

Acute aortic pathologies often present with similar clinical symptoms, and thereby instigation of the appropriate management algorithm is heavily reliant on radiological findings. With the advent of multidetector CT (MDCT), rapid, replicable, noninvasive diagnostic imaging can be acquired. MRI and echocardiography can provide additional functional data without ionizing radiation but are hampered by their speed, availability, and operator dependence. In this chapter, imaging acquisition, potential pitfalls, and aortic imaging in the form of radiography and MDCT are discussed.