Background: Aortic dissection (AD) is a highly fatal disease, especially type A; the mortality rate increases with late diagnosis of dissection, and lots of cases die before diagnosis or once diagnosed due to massive complications. However, it is male-predominant, and more complications affect females. This study aimed to assess the role of Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) in the diagnosis of aortic dissection and the added value of virtual CT.

Subjects and methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Radiodiagnosis Department at Zagazig University Hospitals and Radiodiagnosis Department, national cardiac institute. The study included 18 patients who proved on examination by CT to have aortic dissection, double aortic lumen, and the presence of a dissecting flap. There were 14 males (77.7%) and four females (22.3%). Their ages ranged from 32 to 86 years (mean age: 60.39 ±13.980 years).

Results: Virtual CT provides a unique picture of the aorta from the inside and provides a more accurate characterization of the tears and flaps. Nine cases had irregular entry tears, and six cases had rounded ET, sheet-like in 10 cases, and wave-like in four cases. The intimal tear display quality was fair in three cases, satisfactory in five cases, and optimal in 10 cases.

Conclusion: Because of its efficiency, accessibility, and sensitivity, MDCTA is the preferred approach for diagnosing individuals with suspected AD. It enables a thorough evaluation of the aorta and its branches; even the involvement of small aortic branches, such as coronary arteries, can be proved by virtual CT angioscopy.