Ultrasonic evaluation of pulsatile abdominal masses.
Gray scale ultrasound B-mode scanning provides a rapid and safe method for evaluating the origin of a pulsatile midline abdominal mass. In those patients who do not have an aortic aneurysm, ultrasound will frequently provide another explanation. Tortuous aortas, pancreatic pseudocysts, metastatic cancers, lymphomas, and low-lying livers may all present as pulsatile masses clinically mimicking an aortic aneurysm. Visualization of the para-aortic soft tissues as well as the aorta allows these conditions to be distinguished by abdominal ultrasound.
D000005:Abdomen; D000328:Adult; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008643:Mesentery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010181:Pancreatic Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D014465:Ultrasonics / Q000295:instrumentation; D014463:Ultrasonography