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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough an abdominal ultrasound can be done to check for a number of conditions, it may be used to screen for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a weakened, bulging spot in your abdominal aorta, the artery that runs through the middle of your abdomen and supplies blood to the lower half of your body.
An abdominal ultrasound can also be used to check for other diseases that affect your kidneys, liver, gallbladder and pancreas.
An abdominal ultrasound to screen for an abdominal aortic aneurysm is recommended for men ages 65 to 75 who are current or former smokers. Having an abdominal ultrasound to screen for an aortic aneurysm isn't recommended for men who have never smoked, nor women, unless your doctor suspects you may have an aneurysm.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm. Society for Vascular Surgery. http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Abdominal_Aortic_Aneurysm.html. Accessed April 28, 2010.
- Abdominal ultrasound. Radiological Society of North America and American College of Radiology. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=abdominus. Accessed April 28, 2010.
- Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm: Recommendation statement. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf05/aaascr/aaars.pdf. Accessed April 28, 2010.
- Health care guideline: Preventive services for adults. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. http://www.icsi.org/preventive_services_for_adults/preventive_services_for_adults_4.html. Accessed April 28, 2010.
- Thompson SG, et al. Screening men for abdominal aortic aneurysm: 10 year mortality and cost effectiveness results from the randomised Multicentre Aneurysm Screening Study. British Medical Journal. 2009;338:2307.
- United Kingdom EVAR Investigators. Endovascular versus open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. New England Journal of Medicine. In press. Accessed April 28, 2010.
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