Evaluation of 16-slice CT multi-planar reconstruction and volume rendering for aortic dissection

Objective To evaluate 16-slice CT multi-planar reconstruction(MPR) and volume rendering(VR) techniques on the diagnosis of aortic dissection(AD).Methods A total of 43 AD patients confirmed by surgery or digital subtraction angiography(DSA) were enrolled,male 36,female 7,aged 29-78 years old,mean age 52.8 years old.The images of 16-slice CT were analyzed,and original acquisition thickness was 0.75 mm,intervals of 0.75 mm.The MPR included coronal agittal and oblique position parallel to aortic arch.The three-dimensional images were reconstructed with VR software.Results In 43 patients,13 cases were DeBakey typeⅠ,2 cases were type Ⅱ,28 cases were type Ⅲ(11 of type Ⅲa,17 of type Ⅲb).Stanford classification method included 15 cases of type A and 28 cases of type B.MPR had visualized the whole form,branching blood vessels course and calcification,with higher display rate of true or false lumen of dissection,initial flap,and the initial tear.VR stereoscopic was showed the entire lesion and the spatial relationship with the branch vessels clearly.Conclusion It is demonstrated that the full application of CT MPR and VR techniques could early make the correct diagnosis for AD patients,and the technology should be preferred in AD patients with clinical suspicion.