title: CT findings of rupture, impending rupture, and contained rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  With the increasing use of cross-sectional imaging for a variety of medical and surgical conditions affecting the abdomen and pelvis, familiarity with the imaging features of aneurysm rupture--and the findings suspicious for impending or contained aneurysm rupture--is crucial for all radiologists. This pictorial essay will review the imaging findings of rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms and of complicated aneurysms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prompt detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture or impending rupture is critical because emergent surgery may be required and patient survival may be at stake.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, 1501 N Campbell Ave., PO Box 245067, Tucson, AZ 85724-5067, USA. schwartz@radiology.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Mihra S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Taljanovic
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smyth
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Lee F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Rogers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional / Q000379:methods*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*