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Practice Guideline
. 2016;89(1061):20150705.
doi: 10.1259/bjr.20150705. Epub 2016 Feb 26.

Recommendations for accurate CT diagnosis of suspected acute aortic syndrome (AAS)--on behalf of the British Society of Cardiovascular Imaging (BSCI)/British Society of Cardiovascular CT (BSCCT)

Varut Vardhanabhuti  1   2 , Edward Nicol  3 , Gareth Morgan-Hughes  4 , Carl A Roobottom  1   5 , Giles Roditi  6 , Mark C K Hamilton  7 , Russell K Bull  8 , Franchesca Pugliese  9 , Michelle C Williams  10 , James Stirrup  3 , Simon Padley  3 , Andrew Taylor  11 , L Ceri Davies  9 , Roger Bury  12 , Stephen Harden  13
Affiliations
Practice Guideline

Recommendations for accurate CT diagnosis of suspected acute aortic syndrome (AAS)--on behalf of the British Society of Cardiovascular Imaging (BSCI)/British Society of Cardiovascular CT (BSCCT)

Varut Vardhanabhuti et al. Br J Radiol. 2016.

Abstract

Accurate and timely assessment of suspected acute aortic syndrome is crucial in this life-threatening condition. Imaging with CT plays a central role in the diagnosis to allow expedited management. Diagnosis can be made using locally available expertise with optimized scanning parameters, making full use of recent advances in CT technology. Each imaging centre must optimize their protocols to allow accurate diagnosis, to optimize radiation dose and in particular to reduce the risk of false-positive diagnosis that may simulate disease. This document outlines the principles for the acquisition of motion-free imaging of the aorta in this context.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Risk stratification for acute aortic syndrome and appropriate management strategy.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Ungated CT angiogram of the aorta demonstrating pulsation artefact (arrows).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Non-contrast CT demonstrating typical appearance of a hyperattenuating crescentic ring that can be seen in acute intramural haematoma (arrowheads).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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