Valsalva maneuvers during computed tomography (CT) can demonstrate seemingly worrisome but ultimately transient aortoiliac narrowing.

Computed tomography (CT) being performed with Valsalva is an efficacious and common technique performed to evaluate for abdominal hernias. In certain circumstances, Valsalva can generate sufficient intra-abdominal pressure to cause aortoiliac compression that can raise concerns for possible aortic atresia. Repeat CT without Valsalva generally demonstrates that these changes are transitory, and no further intervention is typically required. Given the ever-growing number of CTs with Valsalva being performed for hernia evaluation, clinicians involved in interpreting abdominal CTs should be aware of this concerning appearing but ultimately benign phenomenon.