J Korean Radiol Soc.  1994 Feb;30(2):271-279.

Classification of Aneurysmal Aortitides: By CT Findings

• Kim YJ
• Lee KN
• Park BH
• Choi JC
• Choi SS
• Nam KJ
• Lee YI

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aneurysmal aortitides could be classified into 4 categories by clinical features, and each category has a different principle of treatment and prognosis. The purposes of this study were 1) to classify the CT findings of the aneurysmal aortitides by the 4 categories-aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, penetrating atheromatous aortic ulcer, and annuloaortic ectasis, and 2) to evaluate the complications of each category.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We reviewed the CT findings of 33 cases of aneurysmal aortitides, and classified them into the above-mentioned 4 categories. Thirty-two patients were examined with CT with or without ultrasound, angiography, echocardiography, or MRI. Among them, 15 cases were confirmed with operation and the rest were diagnosed with radiologic and clinical findings.
RESULTS
There were 17 aortic aneurysms, 9 aortic dissections, 4 penetrating atheromatous aortic ulcers, and 3 annuloaortic ectases. Aortic rupture, the most serious complication of aortitides, occurred in 9 cases. The causes of the rupture were aortic dissection, aneurysm, and penetrating aortic ulcer in descending order of frequency. The most frequent site of rupture was retroperitoneum.
CONCLUSION
Using CT with or without other diagnostic tools, we could classify the aneurysmal aotitides into 4 categories and evaluate the complications.

MeSH Terms

Aneurysm*
Angiography
Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Rupture
Aortitis*
Classification*
Echocardiography
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Prognosis
Rupture
Ulcer
Ultrasonography