CTChestAdvanced
Aortic dissection
aortacardiovascularemergencyCTAintimal flapstanford
Clinical presentation
Hypertensive patient with sudden tearing chest pain radiating to the back and a blood-pressure differential between the arms.
Key imaging findings
- Intimal flap separating a true and false lumen on CT angiography
- Involvement of the ascending aorta defines Stanford type A
- False lumen often larger with the beak sign; true lumen smaller and continuous with undissected aorta
- Possible complications: pericardial effusion, aortic regurgitation, branch-vessel malperfusion
Form your diagnosis, then reveal the answer.
Educational teaching content only. Imaging appearances vary; always correlate clinically and confirm with a qualified radiologist.