How Is an Aneurysm Diagnosed?
An aneurysm may be found by chance during a routine
physical exam. More often, an aneurysm is found by chance during an
x ray,
ultrasound, or
computed tomography (CT) scan performed for another reason,
such as chest or abdominal pain.
If you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), the
doctor may feel a pulsating mass in your abdomen. A rapidly growing aneurysm
about to rupture can be tender and very painful when pressed. If you are
overweight or obese, it may be difficult for your doctor to feel even a large
abdominal aneurysm.
If you have an AAA, your doctor may hear rushing
blood flow instead of the normal whooshing sound when listening to your abdomen
with a stethoscope.
Specialists Involved
You may be referred to a cardiothoracic surgeon,
vascular surgeon, or neurosurgeon for diagnosis and treatment of an aneurysm. A
cardiothoracic surgeon performs surgery on the heart, lungs, and other organs
and structures in the chest, including the aorta. A vascular surgeon performs
surgery on the abdominal aorta and on the peripheral arteries. A neurosurgeon
performs surgery on the brain, including the arteries in the head, and on the
spine and nerves.
Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
To diagnose and evaluate an aneurysm, one or more of
the following tests or procedures may be performed:
- Chest x ray. A chest x ray provides a picture of
the organs and structures inside the chest, including the heart, lungs, and
blood vessels.
- Ultrasound. This simple and painless test uses
sound waves to create a picture of the inside of the body. It shows the size of
an aneurysm, if one is detected. The ultrasound scan may be repeated every few
months to see how quickly an aneurysm is growing.
- CT scan. A CT scan provides computer-generated,
x-ray images of the internal organs. A CT scan may be performed if the doctor
suspects a TAA or AAA. A liquid dye that can be seen on an x ray is injected
into an arm vein to outline the aorta or artery on the CT scan. The CT scan
images can be used to determine the size and shape of an abdominal aneurysm
more accurately than an ultrasound.
- MRI. MRI uses magnets and radio waves to create
images of the inside of the body. It is very accurate in detecting aneurysms
and determining their size and exact location.
- Angiography. Angiography also uses a special dye injected into
the blood stream to make the insides of arteries show up on x-ray pictures. An
angiogram shows the amount of damage and blockage in blood vessels.
- Aortogram. An aortogram is an angiogram of the aorta. It may
show the location and size of an aortic aneurysm, and the arteries of the aorta
that are involved.
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