Aortic unfolding

Aortic unfolding is an old term that is to describe the radiological abnormality on chest X-ray that show widening of the mediastinum which may mimic the appearance of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. 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. Aortic unfolding, though not serious, should be differentiated from the more severe dissection of the aorta.