Abdominal Aorta Sonogram

Ultrasonography is a noninvasive method of diagnostic testing in which ultrasound
waves are sent into the body with a small transducer pressed against the skin. The
transducer then receives any returning sound waves, which are deflected back as
they bounce off various structures. The transducer converts the returning sound
waves into electric signals that are then transformed by a computer into a visual display
on a monitor.
In this particular type of ultrasonography, the transducer is passed over the area
from the xiphoid process to the umbilicus. The purpose is to detect and measure a
suspected 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 than
4 cm in diameter. It is considered to be aneurysmal if it is greater than 4 cm and
at high risk of rupture if it is greater than 7 cm. This test can also be used as a follow-
up evaluation after surgery for repair of an aneurysm.