[The value and limitation of two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in diagnosis of dissecting aortic aneurysm].

The diagnostic value of two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was evaluated in 29 patients with dissecting aortic aneurysm (DeBakey type I; 4, type II; 1, type IIIa; 6, type IIIb; 18) who were studied consecutively from May 1987 to August 1988. An intimal flap was demonstrated in all 29 cases. DeBakey type classification could be recognized in 26 of 29 patients (89.7%). The entry of aortic dissection could be identified in 26 of 29 patients (89.7%). The differentiation between true and false lumen could be performed in all 29 cases. The introduction of color Doppler and pulsed Doppler echocardiography has opened up an additional possibility, in particular an analysis of flow pattern of the lumen was valuable in differentiation between true and false lumen. TEE was also valuable in evaluation of operative procedure by means of intraoperative-TEE. The capability to visualize the lesion of descending aorta was superior to any other conventional diagnostic method such as CT, MRI, AOG. However, there were difficulties in scanning the distal part of the ascending aorta and aortic arch, and in identifying the reentry of arotic dissection except for DeBakey type IIIa dissection. Since transthoracic echocardiography was valuable in diagnosis of cardiac tamponade, aortic regurgitation, and DeBakey type I dissection, the diagnostic method of a combination of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography seems to be more valuable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)