[Spontaneous aortic dissection. Diagnostic experience with 32 patients].

Of 48 patients in whom angiography was carried out on the clinical suspicion of spontaneous aortic dissection, the diagnosis could be confirmed in 18 cases only. On the other hand, aortic dissection was discovered incidentally in 14 patients on whom angiography was being carried out for other reasons. The high incidence of incorrect diagnosis is due to the variety of clinical symptoms caused by various types of dissection combined with the non-specific radiological findings on chest radiographs. Unlike plain films, aortography, provided a suitable technique is employed with an understanding of the possible sources of error, gives a high degree of diagnostic certainty with little risk. It is therefore always indicated when the demonstration or exclusion of an aortic dissection is likely to influence treatment.