BACKGROUND: There is considerable variability in the reported value of clinical examination in the diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). This study aims to assess accuracy of abdominal examination by a doctor, a nurse and the patient in the diagnosis of AAA and whether this accuracy is related to the size of the aneurysm and/or the BMI of the patient. METHODS: 164 patients, 138 men and 26 women, median age 71 years, consented to participate in this prospective, single blind, controlled study. Thirty-nine patients attending for carotid duplex were used as controls. Abdominal examination was performed by a doctor and a nurse. Patients then performed self-examination. RESULTS: Examination by a doctor, a nurse and the patient were similar in accuracy in diagnosing/excluding AAA which was directly related to AAA size and patient BMI. The Negative Predicted Value of abdominal examination exceeds 0.9 with AAA diameters > or =4 cm and the Positive Predictive Value exceeds 0.8 with AAA diameters > or =5 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal examination by a doctor, a nurse and the patient is of value in the exclusion and diagnosis of significant AAA. It should be promoted and may represent a useful adjunct to population screening with ultrasound.
BACKGROUND: There is considerable variability in the reported value of clinical examination in the diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). This study aims to assess accuracy of abdominal examination by a doctor, a nurse and the patient in the diagnosis of AAA and whether this accuracy is related to the size of the aneurysm and/or the BMI of the patient. METHODS: 164 patients, 138 men and 26 women, median age 71 years, consented to participate in this prospective, single blind, controlled study. Thirty-nine patients attending for carotid duplex were used as controls. Abdominal examination was performed by a doctor and a nurse. Patients then performed self-examination. RESULTS: Examination by a doctor, a nurse and the patient were similar in accuracy in diagnosing/excluding AAA which was directly related to AAA size and patient BMI. The Negative Predicted Value of abdominal examination exceeds 0.9 with AAA diameters > or =4 cm and the Positive Predictive Value exceeds 0.8 with AAA diameters > or =5 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal examination by a doctor, a nurse and the patient is of value in the exclusion and diagnosis of significant AAA. It should be promoted and may represent a useful adjunct to population screening with ultrasound.
Authors: Ellen Kirstine Overgaard; Nicolaj Lyhne Christensen; Maria Arvad Serifi; Radu Lucian Vijdea; Johnny Kent Christensen Journal: Radiol Case Rep Date: 2020-01-14