Author: Paul Atkinson / Editor: John P Sloan / Reviewer: James Waiting, Joe Schrieber, Nishant Cherian / Codes: R1, R2 / Published: 01/06/2023
This session describes focused ultrasound for suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Pre-requisites
- Ultrasound: Indications
- Ultrasound: Physics
- Ultrasound: Image acquisition
After completing this session you will be able to:
- Explain the indications for an AAA scan
- Identify which probe to use and how to adjust the machine
- Describe how to position the patient
- Demonstrate the IVC and aorta in longitudinal section
- Recognize the SMA, coeliac axis and aortic bifurcation
- Illustrate how to measure the aortic diameter
References
- Kassem MM, Gonzalez L. Splenic Artery Aneurysm. [Updated 2022 Jul 18]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.
- Fink HA, Lederle FA, Roth CS et al. The accuracy of physical examination to detect abdominal aortic aneurysm. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:833-836.
- Kuhn M, Bonnin RL, Davey MJ et al. Emergency department ultrasound scanning for abdominal aortic aneurysm: accessible, accurate, and advantageous. Ann Emerg Med 2000;36:219-223.
- Tayal VS, Graf CD, Gibbs MA. Prospective study of accuracy and outcome of emergency ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysm over two years. Acad Emerg Med 2003;10:867-871.
- Costantino TG, Bruno EC, Handly N et al. Accuracy of emergency medicine ultrasound in the evaluation of abdominal aortic aneurysm. J Emerg Med 2005;29:455-460.
- Knaut AL, Kendall JL, Patten R et al. Ultrasound measurements of aortic diameter by emergency physicians approximates results obtained by computed tomography. J Emerg Med 2005;119-126.
- Dent B, Kendall RJ, Boyle AA et al. Emergency ultrasound of the abdominal aorta by UK emergency physicians: a prospective cohort study. Emerg Med J 2007;24:547-549.
- Walker A, Brenchley J, Sloan JP et al. Ultrasound by emergency physicians to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms: a UK case series. Emerg Med J 2004;21:257-259.
- Sierzenski PR, Leech SJ, Dickman E et al. Emergency physician ultrasound decreases time to diagnosis, time to CT scan, and time to operative repair in patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Acad Emerg Med 2004;11:580.
- Bengtsson H, Berqvist D, Sternby NH. Increasing prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms, a necroscopy study. Eur J Surg 1992;158:19-23.
- Sefidbakht S, Assadsangabi R, Abbasi HR et al. Sonographic measurement of the inferior vena cava as a predictor of shock in trauma patients. Emerg Radiol 2007;14:181-185.
- Bowra J, McLaughlin R. Emergency Ultrasound. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2006.
- Gaspari RJ, Fox JC, Sierzenski PR. Emergency Ultrasound – Principles and Practice. Philadelphia: Mosby, 2006.
Links
- BMUS safety guidelines. View website
- UK papers on focused emergency aortic ultrasound: Article 1 | Article 2
- McGraw Hill’s Access Medicine images and video. View website
- The Royal College of Emergency Medicine – Ultrasound