You appear to be using an old web browser that may not properly display our pages. Our sites are built using standards compliant guidelines that require a more recent web browser such as:

Internet Explorer 6+
FireFox 1+
Netscape 6+

Case of the Month 09/09

Q1: This 74 year old male with PMHx of HTN and DM was sent to the ED by his PMD with a complaint of abdominal pain since the night before.

What’s wrong with these pictures?

View answer

A1:

There is a large outpouching (10.9 cm) from the anterior surface of the aorta. This patient was taken emergently to the OR for repair of this AAA which had not yet completely ruptured. The official radiology read was "consistent with saccular aneurysm, chronic contained rupture cannot be excluded."

Q2: What is another imaging modality that might be used to help make this diagnosis?

View answer

A2:

AAA is a diagnosis that can be made using bedside sonogram in the emergency department. The images below show the enlarged aorta as well as the aneurismal protrusion seen on CT above.