Radiological Diagnosis of the Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

Abstract

Indications and the diagnostic value of radiological investigation methods in thoracic aortoaneurysm are reported. The suspected diagnosis can already be made on the basis of conventional x-ray examination of the thorax. Computer tomography (CT) with i.v. administration of contrast medium allows unequivocal identification of a mediastinal space occupation as an aneurysm. However, preoperative angiography is indispensable in many cases for appraisal of the vessel origins. Depending on the condition to be investigated, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) which is carried out with i.v. or i.a. injection of contrast medium has replaced conventional angiography here. Nuclear magnetic resonance tomography has only minor importance so far despite the good imaging of the aorta.

Labetalol and MRI as Initial Medical and Diagnostic Modalities in a Marfanoid Patient with Expanding Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

“…3.4 Imaging techniques such as echocardiography, angiography, computer tomograph~and magnetic resonance imaging (M RI) are well-established methods for the diagnosis of thoracic aortic disease. [5][6][7] In this report, a patient with Marfan syndrome presented with acute, severe chest pain, severe hypertension, and a loud diastolic murmur. Labile blood pressure was managed with intravenous labetalol which to our knowledge, has not been reported as first-line treatment for acute hypertension in Marfan syndrome.…”