Multidetector CT of the thoracic aorta.

Recent advancement of MDCT provides high-resolution axial images with optimal contrast enhancement and 3D reformatted images of the thoracic aorta. MDCT is now playing a dominant and critical role in the evaluation of thoracic aortic disease. This article will focus on procedural considerations of MDCT: acquisition parameters, contrast injection and post-processing techniques and imaging findings of thoracic aortic diseases including, aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer, aneurysm, and traumatic injury.