ATHEROSCLEROTIC PENETRATING ULCER OF THE AORTA - TYPICAL MORPHOLOGY ON CT - A REVIEW OF 5 CASES

Multiple penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers of the abdominal and thora cic aorta were detected in five elderly patient with well-known cardio vascular risk factors who were referred to our department for the inve stigation of an unrelated disease or acute chest pain. Penetrating ulc ers of the aorta are defined as atherosclerotic intimal aortic plaques that ulcerate and penetrate into the media, allowing haematoma format ion within the media. The progression of the disease is often limited by the presence of an association fibrosis within the aortic media (me dial fibrosis), but secondary formation of a pseudoaneurysm or very ra rely a spontaneous perforation into the pleural space, mediastinum or peritoneal cavity have been observed. In our restrospective study we d escribe the morphology of the penetrating aortic ulcer on CT and in on e case on sonography and angiography. A review of the literature is in cluded.