Magnetic resonance imaging of aortic disease in the elderly.

The aim of this study was to compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with other imaging techniques in detection of aortic disease in the elderly. Methods: Fifty-seven patients (40 men, 17 women; age range, 66 to 84 years; mean age, 73 years) were divided into two groups. Group A included 21 patients with aortic disease diagnosed by angiography who underwent MRI for comparison with ultrasonography or computed tomography (CT). Group B included 36 patients, none of whom had prior angiography, who had suspected aortic lesion because of abnormal results on clinical examination (12 patients), radiography (10 patients), ultrasonography (18 patients), or CT (14 patients). Results: In group A, the MRI results correlated with the angiographic findings in all 21 patients (100%); MRI sensitivity was calculated to be 95%. In group B, MRI was conclusive in 28 of 36 patients. Conclusions: MRI proved to be a useful noninvasive imaging tool for diagnosis and follow-up of elderly patients with aortic disease.