Inflammatory Aneurysm of the Abdominal Aorta: Diagnosis by Computerized Tomography and Ultrasonography

Abstract

We correctly diagnosed seven cases of inflammatory aneurysm of the abdominal aorta preoperatively by computerized tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US). Excessive thickening of the aneurysmal wall and conspicuous enhancement on CT are the characteristic features that led to the correct diagnosis. Ultrasonographic findings are nonspecific, but US is the screening method of choice. If US shows a sonolucent zone anterior or anterolateral to an atherosclerotic aneurysm, CT should be used to delineate the perivascular abnormalities.