Bart Lewis Dolmatch MD, Presenter: Speaker, C. R. Bard, Inc Consultant, C. R. Bard, Inc Royalties, C. R. Bard, Inc Board of Directors, IC Sciences Corporation

1) Understand imaging strategies that are used to evaluate AAA's. 2) Recognize imaging findings that indicate that an AAA requires treatment. 3) Review size and anatomic considerations used to guide the decision between endoluminal stent-graft repair or open surgical repair of AAA's.

Imaging of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA's) is used to: 1.  Establish the diagnosis of an AAA 2.  Determine its size 3.  Define its anatomy 4.  Determine appropriateness for treatment, including endografting or open repair Ultrasound, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, computerized tomography (CT), and catheter angiography have been used to study AAA's before treatment.  Today there is free screening for AAA's through the Medicare SAAAVE Act.  CT is routinely used for accurate measurement and anatomic definition, though this can also be achieved through MR techniques.  CT is particularly suited for pre-endografting determination of size, length, and iliac artery access.  Catheter angiography is rarely performed for pre-treatment AAA assessment, though it is still required for endograft placement at the time of treatment.

Dolmatch, B, Imaging for Aneurysms: Preprocedure Evaluation.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8001327.html