Common iliac artery aneurysms in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of common iliac artery (CIA) aneurysms in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and to evaluate the relationship between AAA and CIA diameter.


METHODS
Spiral CT angiography was used to measure the maximum diameters of the abdominal aorta and the common iliac arteries of 215 patients with AAA.


RESULTS
The median CIA diameter was 1.7 cm--significantly greater than the published mean of 1.25 (2 S.D. = 0.85-1.65) cm of an age-matched, non-vascular population. Thirty-four patients (16%) had unilateral and 26 patients (12%) bilateral CIA aneurysms > or = 2.4 cm diameter. Eight-six vessels (20%) were affected. Right CIA diameters were wider than left CIA diameters (p < 0.0001, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test). The correlation between AAA size and CIA diameter was weak.


CONCLUSIONS
The AAA population has abnormally dilated common iliac arteries. In this population, common iliac artery aneurysms should be defined as those greater than 2.4 cm diameter. 20% of CIAs in patients with AAA are aneurysmal according to this definition.
Armon
M P
MP
Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Nottingham, U.K.
Wenham
P W
PW
Whitaker
S C
SC
Gregson
R H
RH
Hopkinson
B R
BR
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017543:Iliac Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed