Aortic unfolding is an abnormality visible on a chest X-ray, that shows widening of the mediastinum which may mimic the appearance of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. [1] With aging, the ascending portion of the thoracic aorta increases in length by approximately 12% per decade, whereas the diameter increases by just 3% per decade.

2025年1月23日 · The term unfolded aorta refers to the widened and decreased curvature of the aortic arch on a frontal chest radiograph giving an ‘opened up’ appearance. It is one of the more common causes of apparent mediastinal widening and is seen with increasing age, usually associated with aortic calcification.

Aortic unfolding ‘Unfolding’ of the aorta – a common X-ray finding in elderly patients – is a phenomenon which arises due to elongation of the ascending aorta with age; It is not usually considered a pathological finding in itself and should not be mistaken for an aortic aneurysm

Practicing physicians are familiar with the term “aortic unfolding,” which is used in chest X-ray reports to describe an aging change and generally assume that this term represents proximal aortic dilation. “Unfolding” is often associated with …

Aortic unfolding is a term used to describe the radiological abnormality on chest radiographs seen as widening of the mediastinum. This change occurs with aging and generally reflects proximal aortic dilation, aortic arch widening, and decreased curvature.

2022年12月27日 · What is unfolded aorta? In unfolding of aorta, there is apparent widening of the mediastinum as the curvature of the aortic arch decreases in the frontal plane. This is seen in elderly due to the disproportionate increase in length of ascending aorta compared to its diameter.

Normal aorta – 27-year-old. Only part of the aorta is visible on a chest X-ray; A small part of the ascending aorta may be visible; The ‘aortic knuckle’ forms a reliable landmark; The descending aorta forms a straight line to the left of the spine; Read more about mediastinal contours