Pseudodissection of the aorta.

Motion of the aortic wall resulting in the appearance of aortic dissection on CT is a well-described artifact in the adult radiology literature. Aortic dissection is rare in the pediatric population, and literature on pediatric CT angiography has not included recognition of this pitfall in the diagnosis of children. The current case illustrates a patient at risk of aortic dissection and a false-positive CT diagnosis as a result of this artifact.