An ultrasound of the aorta is used to diagnose aneurysms of this vessel that may be present without presentation of symptoms. One may not be aware of an aneurysm until pain develops or worse a catastrophic event occurs. An aorta ultrasound scan is an easy way to diagnose abdominal aortic aneurysms and thoracic aortic aneurysms.
An abdominal aortic ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging examination that generates images of the aorta in the abdominal area. Some patients may refer to this as a stomach aneurysm or a stomach aortic aneurysm. This vessel transports blood flow down through the abdomen and into two other vessels that stream blood to the legs. This artery may enlarge or dilate and develop into an aneurysm. An aneurysm is an artery that enlarges more than one and one-half times of its normal size and can easily be detected by an abdominal aortic ultrasound.
Patients are instructed to fast for 6-8hours prior to the test in order to obtain better images. Fasting decreases bowel gas and decreases the chances that the image will be obstructed by gas and food in the stomach.
A screening test for an abdominal aortic aneurysm or thoracic aortic aneurysm by an aortic ultrasound is a fast, easy and a safe method to measure the size of the aorta and rule out aneurysms. Screening testing for AAA is particularly recommended for men over the age of 60 who have a smoking history or anyone with a family history of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Additionally ultrasound can be used as a follow up tool to observe the size of aneurysms and to identify expansion in size.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm measurements are performed during your ultrasound and any abnormalities in the width of the arteries is reported to our physicians who will advise you of any needed treatments.
Ascending Aortic Aneurysms as well as thoracic aortic aneurysms, descending aortic aneurysms and abdominal aortic aneurysms are easily diagnosed by ultrasound scanning. Many lives have been saved by the performance of such a screening testing and by the prior to a dissection or tear which can cause life-threatening internal bleeding to occur happen.
Below is an ultrasound image of an aortic aneurysm which reveals a dialated aortic wall.
