Initial 320-detector row coronary CT images have consistently excellent quality and iodinated contrast opacification. These patients were scanned with conservative protocols with respect to iodine load, prospective ECG-gating phase window, and craniocaudal coverage. Future work will focus on lowering contrast and radiation dose while maintaining image quality.

For prospectively ECG-gated single heart beat coronary CTA, a phase window width of 10% will reduce patient radiation and yield diagnostic images in >90% of patients. Heart rate control is an important component of 320-detector row prospectively gated CT dose reduction.

MR and CT diagnose dural ectasia with high specificity and sensitivity. Our criteria accurately diagnose dural ectasia in adult Marfan patients.

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The presence and size of dural ectasia are associated with back pain in the Marfan syndrome. However, a high prevalence of dural ectasia (41%) exists even in patients with Marfan syndrome without back pain. The mere presence of dural ectasia therefore does not necessarily mean the patient will be symptomatic even though the two are associated.