Computed tomography in the diagnosis of aortic aneurysm dissection or traumatic injury.

Thirty patients thought to have an atherosclerotic thoracic aneurysm or chronic aortic dissection were evaluated by computed tomography (CT) and the findings compared with those from conventional radiography, thoracic aortography, and surgery. In all cases, CT defined the lesion and correlated well with angiography. Staging of atherosclerotic aneurysms was possible, and CT also demonstrated the relationship between true and false lumina in aortic dissections; however, aortography was often necessary to differentiate a dissection from an aneurysm or for staging. The relative value of CT and aortography is discussed.