Age-related changes in the abdominal aorta shown by computed tomography.

A study of the computed tomographic appearances of the abdominal aorta in 257 patients confirms previous observations on the progressive increase in aortic diameter which occurs with advancing years. This progressive dilatation is more marked in males. No statistically significant difference was found in the age of onset of mural calcification between the sexes, although calcification was seen in more males than females aged 30-60 years. In the seventh and eighth decades annular calcification was seen more frequently in females. The normal values provided may be of help in the assessment of the diseased aorta.