Frequency and imaging findings of variations in human aortic arch anatomy based on multidetector computed tomography data.

The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency of the variations in the branching pattern of the aortic arch (AA) according to multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) imaging findings. MDCT images of 1136 consecutive patients who had undergone imaging of the chest were retrospectively examined. Eleven different branching patterns were observed. A left-sided AA with three major branches was seen in 74.4% of the patients. Bovine-type AA (21.1%) and independent origin of the left vertebral artery (3.7%) were the next two most common patterns.

Multidetector computed tomography angiography findings of chronic-contained thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm rupture with severe thoracal vertebral body erosion.

Chronic-contained aortic aneurysm rupture with vertebral erosion is a rare entity with fatal complications. Multidetector computed tomography (CT) angiography is an important diagnostic method for the evaluation of the aortic aneurysms, their complications, and also the relationship between aneurysm and branching vessels and adjacent structures. We present the multidetector CT angiography findings of a 62-year-old patient with chronic-contained thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm rupture causing severe vertebral body erosion.