Date of Award
3-25-2008
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Medical Doctor (MD)
First Advisor
Anne Mcbride Curtis
Abstract
This study evaluated post-operative CT scans to determine the normal postoperative appearance following thoracic aorta surgery. The 188 CT studies in 102 patients were analyzed for presence of perigraft fluid collections and pleural effusions. Fifty-seven of 102 patients (56%) had perigraft fluid at the time of their first postoperative CT scan. The majority of collections disappeared over time but some persisted with 22% scans showing fluid at greater than 24 months post-operatively. Pleural effusions were present on 86% of scans in the first post-operative month and only 9% of scans after 1 year. Pseudoaneurysms occurred in 3 of 48 ascending aortic procedures (6.2%) and 4 of 38 descending aortic procedures (10.5%). Complications were rare and identifying prognostic characteristics was difficult. Postoperative CT scans frequently have benign characteristics which may be interpreted as pathological. Knowledge of operative procedures is essential for correct interpretation of postoperative CT scans.
Recommended Citation
Kirk, Jessica, "CT Scan Natural History of Post-Operative Thoracic Aortic Surgery Patients" (2008). Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library. 340.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ymtdl/340
This Article is Open Access
Comments
This is an Open Access Thesis.