Abstract
Introduction
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are often incidental findings in patients undergoing
US, CT or MRI studies. The recommended field of view (FOV) for standard CT examinations
of the spine is 14 cm. This FOV does not allow full visualization of the abdominal
aorta.
Purpose
To justify a larger FOV for male smokers older than 55 years and women older than
65 years, with a higher incidence of AAA.
Materials and methods
The lumbar CT examinations of 100 consecutive patients (age: mean 68 years, range
55–85 years) presented with low-back pain were retrospectively reviewed. Measurements
of the abdominal aorta and lumbar abnormalities were analysed. A control study in
850 patients who underwent abdominal CT scans for other causes was available for comparison.
Results
There were three men with AAAs measuring 4.5, 5.5 and 5.6 cm (mean 5.2 cm). Findings
related to the clinical problem were disk prolapse or herniation, spondylosis, spinal
stenosis and grade I spondylolesthesis. In the control group, 17 patients were found
with AAAs with diameter greater than 4 cm (2%).
Conclusions
Patients with low-back pain, older than 55 years of age, examined with lumbar spine
CT, should also be screened for aortic disease, since the prevalence of AAA is similar
with that of an age-matched control group. Appropriate modification in the applied
FOV is recommended.
Keywords
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Received:
October 20,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2004 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
