Helical CT angiography of the thoracic aorta.

摘要: Five years after its introduction (11,36), spiral or helical CTA is being embraced as an important noninvasive tool for imaging the thoracic aorta and branches. The high degree of accessibility ease with which studies are performed make it a viable alternative to aortography in acute setting. Once examiner familiar principles CTA, acquisition phase examination can be completed little 15 minutes, but critical that thorough understanding these guide radiologist maximize information gained by technique. Several challenges remain CTA. First, proliferation image-processing workstations software improving our ability exploit CT data allowing us visualize them novel ways (37) create renderings greater speed. Before relying on visualization techniques, their accuracy pitfalls, incremental gain they achieve over interpretation primary transverse sections must fully established. This requires carefully designed multiple blinded independent reviewers isolate interpretative variations based rendering technique alone, not combination techniques where variables readily confounded (38). Second, more investigators step forward results clinical utility triage patients appropriately direct medical surgical therapy. Although well prospective comparisons examinations measurement patient outcomes challenging implement, rational selection appropriate diagnostic tests. particularly true application posttraumatic aortic dissection. Finally, technology far from static. Every year, new advances engineering bring better image quality, improved resolution, faster scan times. As imagers, we become complacent, rather constantly challenge ourselves consider how might further improve use equipment collection relevant diagnosis