see also:

• radiology
• CT abdomen
• CT brain

• aortic dissection
  • if you don't see a dissection flap, look hard for intramural haematoma or penetrating ulcer
• trauma
  • diaphragm rupture (usually on the left) is easily missed, look carefully on coronal and sagittal images
  • blunt aortic injury
    • arterial phase CT chest
    • minimal aortic injury
      • <10mm intimal flap
      • conservative Rx with BP control and monitor for evolution
    • severe aortic injury
      • all other injuries
      • BP control, Rx other life threatening injuries first then repair
      • endovascular repair if aorta < 15mm and tear of the mid arch as less mortality and morbidity compared with open repair, but need to sacrifice left brachiocephalic artery so ensure adequate collaterals