Nontraumatic Subclavian Artery Abnormalities: Spectrum of MDCT Findings

The subclavian arteries (SCAs) may exhibit a wide spectrum of nontraumatic pathologic conditions ranging from common diseases, such as atherosclerosis, to vascular emergencies that are associated with a high morbidity and high mortality, such as type A aortic dissection and acute arterial thrombosis. MDCT angiography is an excellent modality to diagnose pathologic conditions of the SCAs. Optimization of CT acquisition protocols and interactive interpretation with 2D multiplanar reformatting and 3D rendering techniques are critical for diagnostic accuracy.