Elliot K. Fishman MD, Presenter: Research support, Siemens AG Advisory Board, Siemens AG Research support, General Electric Company Advisory Board, General Electric Company Co-founder, HipGraphics, Inc

1) Understand the current thoughts about the role of genetics in a range of vascular pathologies and how this information is important to patient care and to our ability to interpret imaging studies of these patients. 2) Learn how to optimize CT scan acquisition protocols as well as 3D post processing protocols for the evaluation of genetic vascular diseases. 3) Understand the key imaging findings in Marfans syndrome and the imaging finding that impact on patient management. Learn about the extra-vascular findings in Marfans syndrome. 4) Understand the key imaging findings in Loeys-Dietz Syndrome and some of the unusual imaging findings in this patient group. 5) Learn what imaging findings are critical to the vascular surgeon or genetics counselor in managing these patients. 6) Understand the key imaging findings in Vascular Ehlers Danlos syndrome and how these impact management decisions. Learn how vascular surgeons use imaging data for patient management decision making. 7) Learn the specific imaging findings that allow the radiologist to help suggest a specific vascular pathology by looking at the distribution and appearance of vascular pathologies.

The rapid developments in CT angiography have provided unparalled capabilities for evaluation of the vascular tree in studies that combine rapid data acquisition, isotrophic data and 3 dimensional mapping. At the same time an ever increasing domain of knowledge is developing around a range of vascular pathologies including Marfans Syndrome, Loeys Dietz Syndrome and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome to name a few entities where knowledge is expanding at break neck speed. In this presentation I will review many of the key imaging finding of a range of genetic vascular pathologies and define the unique findings of specific entities. The role of imaging in lesion detection, monitoring and guiding therapy is addressed. The role of the radiologist as part of the Vascular team is discussed as well. Finally specific protocols including how to optimize dose for these studies is addressed. The role of MPR and 3D renderings of complex vascular pathologies is also discussed and illustrated.

Fishman, E, Genetic Disorders.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/13012014.html