CT Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis Without IV Contrast There is no relevant literature for CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis without IV contrast for the planning of thoracoabdominal aortic endovascular or open repair. CT without IV contrast would likely be able to assess aortic size and for nonvascular findings, but utility for preprocedure planning would be markedly limited in the absence of IV contrast. If venous phase or unenhanced CT has already been performed, additional imaging with CTA may not be required in some patients but may be needed for preprocedure sizing and evaluation of pathology. CT Chest and Abdomen With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature for venous phase CT chest and abdomen for the planning of thoracoabdominal aortic endovascular or open repair. Compared with CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, exclusion of the pelvis from the field of view carries the drawback of precluding evaluation of the iliofemoral access vessels if endovascular repair is considered. Furthermore, if the thoracoabdominal dissection or aneurysm extends into the pelvis, a lack of pelvis evaluation could result in incomplete evaluation of the aortic pathology. In select cases with recent imaging of the pelvis or in cases of planned open repair without extension into the pelvic vasculature, further imaging of the pelvis vasculature may not be needed. If venous phase or unenhanced CT has already been performed, additional imaging with CTA may not be required in some patients but may be needed for preprocedure sizing and evaluation of pathology. CT Chest and Abdomen Without and With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature for venous phase CT chest and abdomen with noncontrast phase for the planning of thoracoabdominal aortic endovascular or open repair. Most preprocedural CT imaging for thoracoabdominal pathology uses an arterially timed contrast bolus in the form of a CTA (discussed below).
Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm or Dissection Treatment Planning and Follow Up. CT Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis Without IV Contrast There is no relevant literature for CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis without IV contrast for the planning of thoracoabdominal aortic endovascular or open repair. CT without IV contrast would likely be able to assess aortic size and for nonvascular findings, but utility for preprocedure planning would be markedly limited in the absence of IV contrast. If venous phase or unenhanced CT has already been performed, additional imaging with CTA may not be required in some patients but may be needed for preprocedure sizing and evaluation of pathology. CT Chest and Abdomen With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature for venous phase CT chest and abdomen for the planning of thoracoabdominal aortic endovascular or open repair. Compared with CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, exclusion of the pelvis from the field of view carries the drawback of precluding evaluation of the iliofemoral access vessels if endovascular repair is considered. Furthermore, if the thoracoabdominal dissection or aneurysm extends into the pelvis, a lack of pelvis evaluation could result in incomplete evaluation of the aortic pathology. In select cases with recent imaging of the pelvis or in cases of planned open repair without extension into the pelvic vasculature, further imaging of the pelvis vasculature may not be needed. If venous phase or unenhanced CT has already been performed, additional imaging with CTA may not be required in some patients but may be needed for preprocedure sizing and evaluation of pathology. CT Chest and Abdomen Without and With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature for venous phase CT chest and abdomen with noncontrast phase for the planning of thoracoabdominal aortic endovascular or open repair. Most preprocedural CT imaging for thoracoabdominal pathology uses an arterially timed contrast bolus in the form of a CTA (discussed below).