title: Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening using non-imaging hand-held ultrasound volume scanner--a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is cost-effective and timely repair improves outcome. Using standard ultrasound (US) an AAA can be accurately diagnosed or ruled-out. However, this requires training and bulk equipment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the diagnostic potential of a new hand-held ultrasound bladder volume indicator (BVI) in the setting of AAA screening.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 94 patients (66 +/- 14 years, 67 men) referred for atherosclerotic disease were screened for the presence of AAA (diameter > 30 mm using US). All patients underwent both examinations, with US and BVI. Using the BVI, aortic volume was measured at 6 pre-defined points. Maximal diameters (US) and volumes (BVI) were used for analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 54 (57%) patients an AAA was diagnosed using US. The aortic diameter by US correlated closely with aortic volume by BVI (r = 0.87, p < 0.0001). Using a cut-off value of > or = 50 ml for the presence of AAA by BVI, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of BVI in detection of AAA were 94%, 82%, 88% and 92%, respectively. The agreement between the two methods was 89%, kappa 0.78.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The bladder volume indicator is a promising tool in screening patients for AAA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vidakovic
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schouten
authors.forename: H H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Feringa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dunkelgrun
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Karagiannis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Merks
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bom
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Neskovic
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bax
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Poldermans
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000295:instrumentation*