Contrast-enhanced sonography for diagnosis of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
OBJECTIVE
We describe the contrast-specific sonography features of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, and we hypothesize that this technique would be useful for emergency imaging of patients with suspected aneurysm rupture.


CONCLUSIONS
We used contrast-specific sonography to assess eight patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Five of these cases were correlated with CT findings. We found that contrast-enhanced sonography can reveal features specific for ruptured aortic aneurysm without causing a significant delay in surgery. This technique may be as effective as CT but may allow a more rapid and noninvasive diagnosis, especially when sonography can be performed bedside.
Catalano
Orlando
O
Department of Radiology, S. Maria delle Grazie Hospital, Via Domitiani, Pozzuoli 80078, Italy.
Lobianco
Roberto
R
Cusati
Bianca
B
Siani
Alfredo
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride