CT angiogram field of view for suspected thoracic aortic dissection

Abstract

Background: Computed tomography (CT) angiograms performed to look for acute thoracic aortic dissection routinely include the abdomen. Data collected over a two-year period (2018–2020) at Oxford University Hospitals found a 2.9% positive detection rate for thoracic aortic dissection and 1.7% of scans showed a thoracic aortic dissection extending below the diaphragm. Detecting potential abdominal extension is the primary reason for including the abdomen in the examination. The need to routinely scan the abdomen and pelvis for cases of suspected thoracic aortic dissection alone was therefore questioned.