Normative reference values of thoracic aortic diameter in American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN 6654) arm of National Lung Screening Trial

Clin Imaging. 2016 Sep-Oct;40(5):936-43. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2016.04.013. Epub 2016 Apr 26.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to establish normative reference values for thoracic aortic diameter (AD) in participants in the National Lung Screening Trial.

Methods: Thoracic AD on 322 prevalence computed tomography was recorded at the sinotubular junction, mid-ascending, transverse arch, mid-descending, and diaphragmatic hiatus.

Results: Mean AD (cm) and upper limits of normal for men and women were recorded for at each location. Smoking did not correlate with AD. Age, gender, and body surface area (BSA) were the most significant factors.

Conclusions: Thoracic AD reference values are reported. They do not correlate with smoking, but they did for age, gender, and BSA.

Keywords: Aorta; NLST; aortic aneurysm; screening CT.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aorta, Thoracic / anatomy & histology*
  • Aorta, Thoracic / diagnostic imaging
  • Body Surface Area
  • Computer Communication Networks
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Reference Values
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • United States