Predictive CT features in ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the CT findings including size of aneurysm, hyperattenuation crescent sign and focal discontinuity of mural calcification to predict the risk of ruptured aneurysm.


METHODS
Records of 27 patients, who underwent Multislices Computed Tomography (MDCT) and required operative repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm from July 2000 to July 2003 were retrospectively reviewed Two radiologists evaluated the images by consensus, analyzing the aneurysm size, hyperattenuation crescent sign, and focal discontinuity of mural calcification.


RESULTS
The authors found that the mean maximum AP diameters of the aneurysm in the ruptured and nonruptured group were 6.95 cm and 5.50 cm, respectively. All patients in the ruptured group had an aneurysm size of more than 5.0 cm. The hyperattenuation crescent sign and focal discontinuity of mural calcification had a high specificity for predicting ruptured aneurysm, 95% and 100%, respectively. There was statistical significant difference between the ruptured aneurysm and non-ruptured groups in the patients who had maximum aneurysm size more than 5 cm with positive hyperattenuation crescent sign (p < 0.041).


CONCLUSIONS
A maximum size of aneurysm greater than 5 cm with positive hyperattenuation crescent sign is a suggestive sign to predict ruptured aneurysm.
Thammaroj
Jureerat
J
Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Vungtal
Sangrawee
S
Srinakarin
Jiraporn
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012421:Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed