Ultrasound: Skills of carrying out Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Assessment (AAA)

Author: Paul Atkinson / Editor: John P Sloan, William Wilson, Peter Hulme / Reviewer: James Waiting, Joe Schrieber, Nishant Cherian / Codes: R1, R2 / Published: 01/07/2012 / Reviewed: 20/06/2025

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
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References

  1. Kassem MM, Gonzalez L. Splenic Artery Aneurysm. [Updated 2023 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. Bengtsson H, Berqvist D, Sternby NH. Increasing prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms, a necroscopy study. Eur J Surg 1992;158:19-23.
  11. 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.
  12. Bowra J, McLaughlin RE, Atkinson P, Henry JL, editors. Emergency ultrasound made easy. 3rd ed. London: Elsevier; 2021.

Further reading

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