Visualization of acute aortic injury with cinematic rendering.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the appearance of traumatic aortic injuries with the novel 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) visualization technique known as cinematic rendering (CR). CR uses a novel lighting model to create photorealistic images with excellent anatomic detail for improved depiction of the extent of traumatic aortic injuries. Four patients with acute traumatic aortic injury identified on thoracic CT angiography were analyzed by creating standard 3D volume-rendered reconstructions and CR images on an independent 3D workstation. In this series of four patients, we present the typical patterns of aortic injury imaging findings and complications associated with traumatic aortic injury, with an emphasis on the utilization of the novel 3D technique of CR. CR can provide realistic imaging of the thoracic aortic contour with excellent spatial details. This methodology allows for an accurate assessment of aortic injury and optimal preoperative planning in patients with traumatic thoracic aortic injury.