Pulmonary multislice computed tomography findings in acute aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE

To document the type and incidence of pulmonary multislice computed tomography (CT) findings at presentation in patients with acute aortic dissection.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Multidetector CT scans of 36 patients with a diagnosis of acute aortic dissection or intramural hematoma were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Pleural effusion, dependent stasis, mosaic attenuation, interlobular septal thickening, thickening of the peribronchovascular interstitium, vascular enlargement, compression atelectasis were common findings. Additionally air trapping, emphysema, consolidation, nodules, bronchiectasis or scarring were also noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Various pulmonary imaging findings may accompany acute aortic dissection. These findings and their clinical significance should be further investigated.