J Korean Radiol Soc.  1988 Dec;24(6):1046-1050. 10.3348/jkrs.1988.24.6.1046.

Aortic wall low density on chest CT: atheromatous plaque vs. thrombosed false lumen

• Kang JW
• Im JG
• Han MC

• KMID: 2359176
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1988.24.6.1046

Abstract

A Curvilinear or thick band-like low density on aortic wall on CT scan is sometimes problematic. The point iswhether its represents atheromatous plaque or thrombosed false lumen of the dissecting aneurysm. We reviewed 212randomely selected chest CT cases with regard to low density on the thoracic aorta. Thirty two patients showedvisible low density on the aorta. Seven patients had dissecting aneurysm confirmed by aortography and/or CT scan.Atheromatous plaque did not exceed 4mm in its maximum thickness and appeared as curvilinear rim, while thrombosedfalse lumen of the dissecting aneurysm exceeded 10mm in its maximum thickness in all cases with the shape ofcrescent, half-moon or thick band. Maximum transverse diameter of thoracic aorta was more than 4cm in all cases ofdissecting aneurysm while none of the atheromatous plaque cases showed more than 4cm. Thrombosed false lumen ofthe dissecting aneurysm can reliably be distinguished from atheroma by its thicker low density region and largersize of the aorta.

MeSH Terms

Aneurysm
Aneurysm, Dissecting
Aorta
Aorta, Thoracic
Aortography
Humans
Plaque, Atherosclerotic
Thorax*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed*