Abdominal Aorta Sonogram

8/11/2019 Abdominal Aorta Sonogram

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ABDOMINAL AORTA SONOGRAM 3

THE EVIDENCE FOR PRACTICEThe U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends one-time screening for AAA by ultra-sonography in men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked. The Task Force makes no recom-

mendation for or against screening for AAA in men aged 65 to 75 who have never smoked,and recommends against routine screening for AAA in women. (See: www.ahrq.gov/clinic/ uspstf/uspsaneu.htm)

Normal Values

Negative for presence of aneurysmAbdominal aorta lumen diameter < 4 cm

Possible Meanings of Abnormal Values

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Contributing Factors to Abnormal Values

The transducer must be in good contact with the skin as it is being moved. Clear imaging can be hampered by the presence of retained gas or barium in the

intestine, obesity, and patient movement.

Interventions/Implications

Pretest Explain to the patient the purpose of the test. Provide any written teaching materials

available on the subject. Note that there is no discomfort involved with this test. Fasting for 8 hours is required prior to the exam.Procedure

The patient is assisted to a supine position on the ultrasonography table. A coupling agent, such as a water-based gel, is applied to the area to be evaluated.

Abdominal Aorta Sonogram(Ultrasound of the Abdominal Aorta)

Test DescriptionUltrasonography is a noninvasive method of diagnostic testing in which ultrasoundwaves are sent into the body with a small transducer pressed against the skin. Thetransducer then receives any returning sound waves, which are deflected back asthey bounce off various structures. The transducer converts the returning soundwaves into electric signals that are then transformed by a computer into a visual dis-play on a monitor.

In this particular type of ultrasonography, the transducer is passed over the areafrom the xiphoid process to the umbilicus. The purpose is to detect and measure asuspected abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). It can also be used to monitor a known

AAA for increase in size. The lumen of the abdominal aorta is normally less than4 cm in diameter. It is considered to be aneurysmal if it is greater than 4 cm andat high risk of rupture if it is greater than 7 cm. This test can also be used as a fol-low-up evaluation after surgery for repair of an aneurysm.
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsaneu.htmhttp://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsaneu.htmhttp://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsaneu.htmhttp://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsaneu.htm


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4 L ABO RATO RY AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

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Normal Values

Normal appearance of gallbladder, biliary system, liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, andaorta

Possible Meanings of Abnormal Values

Aortic aneurysm Ascites Cholecystitis Cholelithiasis Cirrhosis of the liver Dilation of the bile ducts Gallbladder carcinoma Gallbladder polyps

R Clinical Alerts

This test should be scheduled for completion prior to any studies requiring bar-ium. If such studies have already occurred, 24 hours must pass prior to perform-ing the ultrasound to allow passage of the barium beyond the area to be viewed.

A transducer is placed on the skin and moved as needed to provide good visualization of the structures.

The sound waves are transformed into a visual display on the monitor. Printed copies of

this display are made.Posttest

Cleanse the patients skin of remaining coupling agent. Report abnormal findings to the primary care provider.

Abdominal Sonogram (Abdominal Ultrasound)

Test DescriptionUltrasonography is a noninvasive method of diagnostic testing in which ultrasoundwaves are sent into the body with a small transducer pressed against the skin. Thetransducer then receives any returning sound waves, which are deflected back asthey bounce off various structures. The transducer converts the returning soundwaves into electric signals that are then transformed by a computer into a visual dis-play on a monitor.

In this particular type of ultrasonography, the areas evaluated include thosestudied in the liver and pancreatobiliary system sonogram (gallbladder, biliary sys-tem, liver, and pancreas) along with the spleen, kidneys, and aorta.


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ABDOMINAL SONOGRAM 5

Hematoma Hepatic abscess Hepatic tumor

Hepatocellular disease Hydronephrosis Liver cyst Liver metastases Pancreatic carcinoma Pancreatitis Pheochromocytoma Pseudocyst of the pancreas Renal calculi Renal carcinoma Renal cysts Ruptured spleen Splenomegaly

Contributing Factors to Abnormal Values

The transducer must be in good contact with the skin as it is being moved. A water-based gel is used to ensure good contact with the skin.

Test results are hindered by the presence of bowel gas, retained barium, orobesity.

Interventions/Implications

Pretest

Explain to the patient the purpose of the test. Provide any written teaching materialsavailable on the subject. Note that there is no discomfort involved with this test.

The patient is to eat a fat-free meal in the evening and then fast for 8 to 12 hours beforethe test. This promotes accumulation of bile in the gallbladder, resulting in better visual-ization during ultrasonography.

Procedure The patient is assisted to a supine position on the ultrasonography table. A coupling agent, such as a water-based gel, is applied to the area to be evaluated. A transducer is placed on the skin and moved as needed to provide good visualization of

the structures. The sound waves are transformed into a visual display on the monitor. Printed copies of

this display are made.

Posttest

Cleanse the patients skin of any lubricant. Report abnormal findings to the primary care provider.

R Clinical Alerts

For patients with clinical suggestion of gallbladder disease who have a negativeabdominal ultrasound, a hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan of the gall-bladder may be needed.

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Abdominal Aorta Sonogram