Final answer:
A CXR may show indirect evidence of an aortic dissection such as an enlarged aortic silhouette or mediastinal widening, but it usually requires more sensitive imaging like CTA or MRA to confirm the diagnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
A CXR or chest radiograph might not always show direct signs of an aortic dissection, as it is not the most sensitive imaging test for this condition. However, it can sometimes reveal indirect evidence of an aortic dissection. This might include an enlarged aortic silhouette, which refers to the shadow of the aorta appearing larger than normal, possibly due to an expansion of the aorta's layers. Another potential indirect sign would be a mediastinal widening, which could indicate bleeding into the area around the aorta. Mention of pulmonary infiltrate and artificial heart valves may be found on a CXR report but are not directly related to aortic dissection.
More definitive imaging modalities for aortic dissection include computed tomography angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), which can provide detailed images of the aorta to confirm a dissection.