Learning objectives
We will review the definition,
monitoring protocols of abdominal aorta aneurysms (AAA) and the criteria to refer to treatment.
We will discuss the signs that associates with a high risk of rupture.
We will review the different measures that needs to be registered and the anatomical variants that should be seek,
before treatment planning.
Background
Abdominal aorta aneurysms is a frequent finding in imaging studies realized by other reasons,
its management must be fundamental in any radiologist that deal with body imaging in the emergency or office based practice.
Imaging findings OR Procedure details
The abdominal aorta aneurysms (AAA) has a prevalence of 4-7% in the population between 65 and 80 years old.
A ruptured AAA,
is the cause of death of 15,000 people /year worldwide.
Many patients die before reaching the hospital and postoperative mortality after rupture is 50 to 60%.
An abdominal aorta aneurysm is defined as the dilation greater than 3cm in diameter,
although it poses no risk of rupture until it reaches 5.5 cm in men and 5 cm in women.
Screening and monitoring:
The...
Conclusion
The radiologist is an essential link in the chain that make the diagnosis,
monitoring,
imaging evaluation that decides when treatment is needed,
diagnosis of emergency signs and finally,
treatment planning,
which hardly can be accomplished by other specialists,
so mastering the radiological management of this pathology is elementary in our daily practice.
References
Suggested Reading:
Moll FL,
Powell JT,
Fraedrich G,
Verzini F,
Haulon S,
Waltham M,
van Herwaarden J a,
Holt PJE,
van Keulen JW,
Rantner B,
Schlösser FJV,
Setacci F,
Ricco J-B.
Management of abdominal aortic aneurysms clinical practice guidelines of the European society for vascular surgery.
European journal of vascular and endovascular surgery : the official journal of the European Society for Vascular Surgery 2011 Jan;41 Suppl 1:S1-S58
Suggested reading:
Rakita D,
Newatia A,
Hines JJ,
Siegel DN,
Friedman B.
Spectrum of CT findings in...
Personal Information
Gregorio Marañón University General Hospital,
Madrid,
Spain.
Vascular and Interventional Radiology Service.
Angiology and Vascular Surgery Service.