Fact-sheet: Aortic aneurysm
Updated on 10/05/2016 at 2:33 PM
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Definition
Abdominal aortic aneurysm: loss of parallelism of the vascular walls with dilation of the aorta greater than 3 cm, or an increase in diameter of more than 50% relative to the diameter of the adjacent non-aneurysmal vascular segment.
Etiologies: atherosclerosis, infection, trauma
Location: infrarenal in 90% of cases
Clinical features
Expansile pulsatile mass
Sudden, severe pain in case of rupture
Ultrasound
Extent of the aneurysm, relationship with the renal and visceral arteries, condition and height of the aneurysm necks
Detects the presence of a mural thrombus
Difficult at the suprarenal level
CT
CT angiography: key examination
Origin, diameter, relationship with the renal arteries, presence of a mural thrombus.
Diagnosis of aneurysmal rupture: extravasation of contrast material suggestive of active bleeding, hemoperitoneum
Signs of impending rupture: draped aorta sign, discontinuity of intimal calcifications
Management
Surgical treatment or stent-graft placement if diameter > 5 cm, growth > 5 mm in 6 months, mycotic aneurysm, or symptomatic
