Aortic unfolding

{{Short description|Pattern seen during radiologic examination}}

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.{{cite journal | first1= Michael |last3= O'Rourke| first2=Alan | last2= Farnsworth |first3= John | last1= O'Rourke | journal=J Am Coll Cardiol Img | title= Aortic Dimensions and Stiffness in Normal Adults |year= 2008 |volume =1 | number= 6| pages= 749–751 | url= http://imaging.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/1/6/749 |doi= 10.1016/j.jcmg.2008.08.002|pmid= 19356511| doi-access= free }}

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. This elongation causes the ascending aorta to appear as a vertical shadow on the left heart border. Unfolding is often associated with aortic calcification which implies aortic degeneration and hypertension. {{cite journal| first= Jun | last= Sugawara | title=Age-Associated Elongation of the Ascending Aorta | journal=Adults J Am Coll Cardiol Img | year =2008 | volume=1 | issue= 6 | pages=739–748 | url= http://imaging.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/1/6/739?ijkey=8cc2aa2cb0e4ece99567afc62ab2d8fe0b28f542 | doi =10.1016/j.jcmg.2008.06.010| pmid= 19356510 | doi-access=free }}