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Ultrasound tests use sound waves to create images of the internal organs. Abdominal aortic ultrasounds are usually ordered to evaluate the size of the aorta to look for aneurysms (enlargement). The aorta is the main artery from your heart that carries blood throughout your body - sort of like a main highway with many branches coming off of it. It is roughly divided into two parts:

Thoracic aorta - in your chest, can be evaluated with CT and MRI

Abdominal aorta  - in your abdomen, can be evaluated with US, CT, or MRI

In the abdominal aorta picture to the right, the aorta is the red tubular structure. The magnified picture shows a normal aorta and one with an aneurysm.

Over time your aorta can enlarge in size and form what is called an  abdominal aortic aneurysm. The walls of the aneurysm are weak and can rupture causing life threatening bleeding into your abdomen. Symptoms include a pulsing mass in the middle of your  abdomen, a bruit (noisy flow) heard using a stethoscope, pain or rectal bleeding, sudden loss of consciousness or cardiac arrest. Once the aneurysm gets to a certain size the risk of rupture becomes significant and the aneurysm is repaired.

Like any other arteries in the body, the abdominal aorta can develop atherosclerosis which can cause aortic stenosis. Stenosis simply means narrowing. Significant stenosis can slow the flow of blood in the aorta impairing circulation to your legs for example. Some patients with significant atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta may need to have a bypass surgery to restore adequate blood flow to the legs.  

Your doctor's order may read "r/o aneurysm" or "pulsatile mass", "h/o atherosclerosis"

(FYI "r/o" stands for rule out, and "h/o" for history of)

Below are some common indications for abdominal aorta ultrasounds.

•  Screening for aneurysm for patients with medical conditions such diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure  which increase the risk of developing an abdominal aorta aneurysm
• Evaluate for an aneurysm if a pulsatile mass is felt on a physical exam
• Known abdominal aortic aneurysm and the scan is being done to check for any change in size of the aneurysm
• Evaluate the aorta because of a bruit (rushing, whistling noise) of the abdominal aorta heard during a physical exam

Below is a brief outline of the procedure.

1. After you sign in to the Radiology office, you'll be taken to the ultrasound room.
2. An ultrasound technician will perform the test.
3. Once you enter the room, you will lie down on a bed/gurney.
4. The technologist will ask you to pull up or remove your shirt.
5. He or she will place a a warmed gel solution over the skin of your abdomen.
6. The technologist will use an ultrasound probe and glide it over the abdomen and take pictures.
7. The technologist may ask the Radiologist doctor to review the scan before you leave.
8. An official report is generated by the Radiologist in about 24-48 hours.

If you are insured abdominal aortic ultrasounds are covered. However, for uninsured patients these tests can be quite expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere between $300 and $700 for this test.

Have you had an abdominal aorta ultrasound? What was it like? Please leave your comments below: