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Displaced plaque in retroperitoneal adenopathy
Riyadh N Al-Okaili1, Stephen I Schable, Troy J Marlow
1Department of Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
Southern Medical Journal
|August 23, 2002
Summary
Retroperitoneal masses can be suspected when calcified abdominal aortic atheroma is displaced more than 10 mm in men or 7.3 mm in women. This finding on lateral radiographs aids in early detection of potential masses.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Diagnostic Medicine
Background:
- Incidental retroperitoneal masses require diagnostic criteria for early detection.
- Lateral radiographs can show displaced calcified atheromatous abdominal aorta.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish measurement criteria for displaced calcified atheromatous abdominal aorta on radiographs.
- To determine when retroperitoneal masses should be considered based on aortic displacement.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 143 normal abdominal helical computed tomography scans.
- Measurement of the distance between the posterior aortic wall and vertebral bodies (T12-L3).
- Analysis of scans from individuals aged 50 years and older.
Main Results:
- The normal abdominal aorta is closely related to the vertebral column.
- Maximum normal distance: 10 mm in men and 7.3 mm in women.
- Significant displacement indicates potential retroperitoneal abnormality.
Conclusions:
- Displacement of aortic calcified atheroma beyond established limits suggests a retroperitoneal mass.
- Radiographic findings of aortic displacement serve as a prompt for further investigation.
- This provides a quantifiable method for evaluating incidental findings.