Step II Aortic Dissection: TEE vs TAE?

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StrangerX

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UWorld 2703, why do a Transesophageal echo over transbadominal echo for Marfan's with dissecting aortic aneurysm? Question asks for next best step so its a bit vague..wouldn't Conrad prefer the TAE? Its less accurate but at the same time it seems like it would be the NEXT best because its least invasive and only marginally worse than the TEE.

Wish these folks and the NBME would start using the right adjectives like sensitive, specific, accurate, cost effective, etc. Sadly I am not a mind reader.
 
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StrangerX said:
UWorld 2703, why do a Transesophageal echo over transbadominal echo for Marfan's with dissecting aortic aneurysm? Question asks for next best step so its a bit vague..wouldn't Conrad prefer the TAE? Its less accurate but at the same time it seems like it would be the NEXT best because its least invasive and only marginally worse than the TEE.

Wish these folks and the NBME would start using the right adjectives like sensitive, specific, accurate, cost effective, etc. Sadly I am not a mind reader.
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My guess would be that people with marfan syndrome are more likely to have aneurysms/dissections in their arch...can't very well see the arch with a transabdominal ultrasound...
 
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StrangerX said:
UWorld 2703, why do a Transesophageal echo over transbadominal echo for Marfan's with dissecting aortic aneurysm? Question asks for next best step so its a bit vague..wouldn't Conrad prefer the TAE? Its less accurate but at the same time it seems like it would be the NEXT best because its least invasive and only marginally worse than the TEE.

Wish these folks and the NBME would start using the right adjectives like sensitive, specific, accurate, cost effective, etc. Sadly I am not a mind reader.
Click to expand...

Dissections occur in the ascending or descending portions of the aortic arch. How are you going to see a thoracic structure through the abdomen?
How do you image the heart? TEE
How do you image the abdominal aorta? Abdominal ultrasound.
 
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