Aortic dissection chest x ray

Aortic dissection Microchapters
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Case Studies
Case #1

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Overview

An increased aortic diameter is the most common finding on chest X ray, and is observed in up to 84% of patients. A widened mediastinum is the next most common finding, and is observed in 15-20% of patients. The chest X-Ray is normal in 17% of patients. A pleural effusion (hemothorax) in the absence of congestive heart failure can be another sign of aortic dissection.