Dual energy: CTA aorta

Abstract

Aortic aneurysms are a common pathology, with the potential risk of rupture.1 Aneurysms can be differentiated into true aneurysms, which involve all three layers of the vessel wall (intima, media and adventitia), false aneurysms (pseudoaneurysms), where a collection of blood communicates with the arterial lumen but is not surrounded by normal vessel wall, and dissecting aneurysms, in which the blood is between the normal vessel lumen and the intima. Initially, a tear in the intimal layer of the aorta occurs. As high pressure exists in the aorta, blood enters the media. The force of the blood entering the media causes the tear to extend. It may extend proximally or, distally or both. As a result of the extending tear the blood will move through the media, creating a false lumen separated by a layer of intimal tissue (intimal flap). © 2008 Springer Medizin Verlag Heidelberg.