Pediatric thoracic aorta: Normal measurements determined by CT

Normal thoracic aortic dimensions have been established using CT in the adult population, but such measurements are not available in children. In order to establish normal standards, contrast-enhanced chest CT examinations of 117 children ranging from 2 weeks to 19 years of age were reviewed. Patients with congenital heart disease, vascular anomalies, renal disease, and connective tissue disease were excluded. Diameters of the thoracic aorta were measured by direct reading calipers from hard-copy images. Measurements were obtained at the level of the aortic arch, left main pulmonary artery, and diaphragm