18F-Sodium Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Acute Aortic Syndrome: Vascular Imaging

Abstract

Introduction: Acute aortic syndrome (AAS) is characterised by diseases that disrupt the intima and weaken the aorta. This damaged aorta is prone to aneurysmal dilation and ultimately rupture: a catastrophic and often fatal event. Fluorine-18 (18F) sodium fluoride positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a promising multimodality imaging technique that informs on the pathological state of the aorta. In other aortopathies, such as abdominal aortic aneurysms, increased 18F sodium fluoride PET binding is associated with aortic expansion and requirement for aortic repair.