J Korean Radiol Soc.  1995 Nov;33(5):717-724.

Postoperative CT Findings of Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection

• Kim MY
• Kim HK
• Moon HE
• Lee GJ
• Shim JC
• Seong SO
• Lee HS
• Hah CY

Abstract

PURPOSE
To assess the postoperative CT findings of aortic aneurysms or dissections treared by resection- and-graft replacement or continuous-suture graft-inclusion technique
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We reviewed postoperative follow-up CT findings of 14 patients, 19 cases. There were 8 patients(10 cases) of aortic aneurysm and 6 patients(9 cases) of aortic dissecton which involved the thoracic aorta in 9 patients(13 cases) and abdominal aorta in 5 patients(6 cases). The interval of follow-up after operation was from 9 days to 2 year 9 months. On CT scans, we analyzed the appearance of graft materials, differences of CT findings between two surgical techniques, and normal or abnormal postoperative CT findings.
RESULTS
Most of grafts appeared as hyperdense ring on precontrast scan, and all of them were not seperated from aortic lumen on postcontrast scan. On CT findings of patients who were operated by continuous-suture graft-inclusion technique, perigraft thrombus was concentrically located with sharp demarcation by native aortic wall and its density was homogeneous, but in cases of those operated by resection-and-graft replacement, perigraft hematoma was eccentrically located with indistinct margin and its density was heterogeneous and native aortic wall could not be delineated. In patients without complication, perigraft thrombus or hematoma(15 cases), perigraft calcification(11 cases), residual intimal flap(6 cases), graft deformity(4 cases), perigraft air(2 cases) and reconstructed vessels(1 case) were noted. And in one patient with complication, perigraft flow was noted with more increased perigraft hemaroma.
CONCLUSION
Precise knowledge of the differences of CT findings between two surgical techniques and nor- mal postoperative CT findings is crucial to evaluate the postoperative CT findings in aortic aneurysm and dissection.

MeSH Terms

Aorta, Abdominal
Aorta, Thoracic
Aortic Aneurysm*
Follow-Up Studies
Hematoma
Humans
Thrombosis
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Transplants