Abstract

• Objective
  To correlate findings of chest radiograph with those of CT scan in aortic dissection.
• Method
  We retrospectively analyzed findings of chest radiograph and CT scan of 10 aortic dissection patients(for men and six women ; aged 51-79 years old(mean 64 years)) and correlate findings of chest radiograph with those of CT scan.
• Results
  Chest radiograph showed abnormal findings in nine cases(90%) with widening of wuperior mediastinum in nine(90%), disparity in size of ascending and descending aorta in four (40%), change in aortic configuration between successive examination in three (30%), bilateral pleural effusion in one(10%), and cardiomegaly in five(50%). CT scan showed atherosclerotic effusion in two(20%), pericardial effusion in one(10%), and mediastinal hematoma in two(20%). All patients with widening of superior mediastinum on chest radiograph showed aneurysm of ascending aorta and/or aortic arch on CT scan.
• Conclusion
  Chest radiograph is usually abnormal and the most common finding is wdening of superior mediastinum caused by aneurysm of ascending aorta and/or aortic arch. But normal chest radiograph may be observed in aortic dissection with mild degree aneurysm
• Keywords: Aorta; CT aorta; Dissection