ISSN:
1432-1084
Keywords:
Aneurysm
;
Aorta
;
Inflammatory aneurysm
;
Ultrasound
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract During a 5-year period 229 aneurysms of the abdominal aorta were identified by ultrasonography (US) and subsequently submitted to CT. Of these, 41 were seen to be of the inflammatory type on the grounds of the CT scans, confirmed in 29 cases by surgical findings. The patients were 38 men and 3 women, mean age 64.9 years. US, performed using both 3.5 and 5 MHz probes, revealed the inflammatory nature of the aneurysm in 33 of 41 cases (80.5%). In the remaining cases a correct diagnosis could not be determined because of obesity and/or the distal location of the lesion. Regarding the complications associated with the inflammatory nature of the aneurysm (considered only in those cases submitted to surgery) US revealed a good diagnostic accuracy for ureteral involvement (7/7 cases detected, no false positives). Caval involvement was also correctly identified in 6 of 8 cases, although overestimated in 3 of 21. Both of these complications were correctly detected by CT in all cases. Neither US nor CT furnished reliable signs regarding duodenal and colonic involvement (surgically proven in 4 of 29 cases). US proved effective in detecting the inflammatory nature of the aneurysm. If surgery is considered, CT seems mandatory for a correct assessment of the complications.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00167463
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