Morphologic assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysms by spiral computed tomographic scanning.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to seek a relationship between the morphologic features of abdominal aortic aneurysms and the feasibility of endoaortic grafting.


METHODS
Between June 1995 and January 1996, 86 patients were prospectively studied with contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomographic scans, which provided 35 parameters concerning the aorta and iliac arteries. Four groups were established according to the diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysms: group A, 40 to 49 mm, 36 patients; group B, 50 to 59 mm, 26 patients; group C, 60 to 69 mm, 10 patients; and group D, greater than 70 mm, 14 patients.


RESULTS
There was a correlation between the diameter and length of the aneurysm (p < 0.0001) and between aneurysm diameter and length of the proximal neck (p < 0.001). Presence of a proximal neck or a distal neck was more frequent in groups A and B than in groups C and D (p < 0.01). The feasibility of endovascular grafting was estimated at between 50% and 61.6% and was higher in groups A and B than in groups C and D (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
This study has shown an inverse relationship between the diameter of the aneurysm and the length of the aortic neck (correlation coefficient, -0.3640, p < 0.001). The diameter of an aneurysm was the most useful of the 31 parameters measured in predicting the feasibility of endoaortic grafting, estimated at 71% for aneurysms less than 60 mm in diameter and 37.5% for aneurysms greater than 60 mm in diameter (p < 0.01).
Bayle
O
O
Department of Vascular Surgery, Hôpital Sainte-Marguerite, Marscille, France.
Branchereau
A
A
Rosset
E
E
Guillemot
E
E
Beaurain
P
P
Ferdani
M
M
Jausseran
J M
JM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017543:Iliac Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*