The role of CT in reoperative aortic surgery

Computed tomography has now become the examination of choice for detection of most of the complications of aortic surgery. The amount of information provided with virtually no risk should make it an early and frequently ordered test when aortic or abdominal complications are suspected. Angiography remains a vital part of the diagnostic workup, but should be used to identify intraluminal abnormalities; suspicion of processes around the graft or native vessel should prompt the use of CT. It is also quite clear that infection and graft-enteric fistula are visualized with CT with considerable reliability. Perigraft fluid is a very frequently seen finding; the additional detection of gas at or near the aortic anastomosis is a sign that may indicate graft-enteric fistula