ACTA scanning in the diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The presently available diagnostic methods for abdominal aortic aneurysms are reviewed. The application of ACTA scanning for this diagnosis in 35 patients is described. In all cases the presence of an aortic aneurysm was confirmed, even when calcification of its wall was absent. Contrast enhancement demonstrated that aortic lumen not otherwise visualized. In some instances the iliac arteries were clearly seen and more readily so when calcified. Estimates of aneurysm size were compared with measurements taken at surgery with a relatively close correlation. This technique seems to be useful in the differential diagnosis with tortuous abdominal aorta or as a screening procedure. Patients with minimal ectasia of the aorta can be followed by scanning. The planned addition of shorter scanning times and sagital scans with allow the fast evaluation of the longitudinal dimension of the abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is difficult to obtain with the present technique.