[Application of 16-slice spiral CT angiography in aortic dissection].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the value of 16-slice spiral CT angiography in the diagnosis of aortic dissection (AD).

METHODS

Twenty patients with AD underwent 16-slice spiral CT angiography with multi-planar reformation (MPR), curved planar reformation (CPR), maximum intensity projection (MIP), volume rendering (VR) and CT virtual endoscopy (CTVE). All the original and reconstructed images were studied.

RESULTS

The original transverse axial images most reliably preserved the fundamental information. The reconstructed images gave better performance in displaying the spatial relation between the blood vessels and the lesions. Images obtained by different reconstruction methods had different characteristics, and combining different display modes allowed clear representation of the features of aortic dissection such as the extension of the lesion, true and false cavity, disrepair of the intimal flap, aortal branch involvement, thrombi and outcome of endoluminal stenting.

CONCLUSION

Multislice spiral CT angiography can fully display the details of aortic dissection and is therefore of important value for the diagnosis and preoperative and postoperative evaluations.