Aorta

Question 1

What are the three landmarks in abdominal aorta ultrasonography?

Answer 1

1. Celiac Trunk
2. SMA
3. Bifurcation of the aorta

Question 2

What level of the abdominal aorta are we at?

Answer 2

Proximal. Note the classic “seagull sign.” The seagull is the splenic and hepatic arteries coming off of the celiac trunk.

Question 3

What level of the abdominal aorta are we at?

Answer 3

Mid Aorta. Note the “pie in the sky” that the fat surrounded SMA creates

Question 4

What is the landmark for the distal aorta?

Answer 4

The bifurcation of the aorta into the common illiacs. Be sure to obtain an image just proximal to the bifurcation.

Question 5

What is the upper limit of normal for the diameter of the abdominal aorta?

Answer 5

2 cm. Most adult males over 55 years old are considered to have aneursyms when the aorta diameter becomes 3 cm or larger.

Question 6

The abdominal aorta measures 3 cms here, what is going on?

Answer 6

AAA! However, this AAA measures only 3 cm. AAA less than 5 cm can be referred non emergently to surgery if the patient is asymptomatic.

Question 7

This abdominal aorta measures 5.5 cm? What needs to happen?

Answer 7

This patient needs emergent referal to surgery. Note the thrombus in the AAA.