Nontraumatic aortic emergencies are some of the most important causes of sudden death in adults. Aneurysm rupture and aortic dissection are the most frequent among these conditions, the prompt diagnosis of which markedly improves morbidity as well as mortality. Multidetector computed tomography is the imaging modality of choice in the diagnosis of acute aortic pathologies. Although magnetic resonance has been shown to have high sensitivity in aortic dissection evaluation, its use is limited in the emergency department. Conventional angiography is actually the gold standard in diagnosing most of these diseases but has been replaced by the less invasive cross-sectional imaging techniques. Imaging can depict an excellent anatomical and presurgical view of the disease, allowing rapid diagnosis and precise treatment.