MR imaging of blood pool signal variation with cardiac phase in aortic dissection.

Electrocardiographic gated magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic aorta was performed on a patient with aortic dissection. Magnetic resonance demonstrated the intimal flaps and double lumina, allowing correct classification of the dissection as proven surgically. The blood pool signal in the false lumen was low during diastole and higher during systole, which has not been previously described. This signal pattern allows definition of false luminal patency using a single spin-echo pulse sequence.