PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What is the gold standard test for diagnosing aortic dissection or aneurysm?

1. CT scan

2. Echocardiography

3. Aortography

4. MRI

The correct answer is: Aortography

The gold standard for diagnosing aortic dissection or aneurysm is aortography, also known as angiography. This imaging technique involves the injection of contrast dye into the aorta and taking X-ray images, allowing for the visualization of the aorta's structure and any abnormalities such as dissections or aneurysms. Aortography is highly detailed and can provide dynamic information about blood flow, which is essential in emergency situations where rapid diagnosis is crucial. This method allows for direct visualization of the aorta and can help in assessing the extent of the dissection or the size and location of an aneurysm, which is vital for planning treatment. While other imaging modalities like CT scans and MRI are also valuable in diagnosing aortic conditions and are widely used due to their availability and speed, aortography remains the definitive method in many clinical scenarios, particularly in conjunction with therapeutic interventions such as stenting or during surgical procedures. Echocardiography, while useful for assessing certain cardiac conditions, is less effective for visualizing the aorta compared to the other imaging techniques.