Ultrasound aortic measurement and elective aneurysmectomy

In a study of 53 cases, aneurysm size was measured with the use of preoperative physical examination, lateral abdominal roentgenography, and B-mode aortic ultrasonography for comparison with direct intraoperative measurement during aneurysmectomy. Mean aneurysm diameter on the basis of physical examination overestimated aortic size by 1 cm; physical examination measurement was within 0.5 cm of true aortic size in 38% of patients and within 1 cm in 58% of patients. The lateral roentgenogram also overestimated mean aortic diameter by 1 cm and was within 0.5 cm of true aortic size in 44% of patients and within 1 cm in 72% of patients. Measurement using B-mode aortic ultrasonography closely approximated intraoperative aneurysm measurement. Measurement was identical in 34% of patients and was within 0.5 cm and 1 cm in 75% and 92% of patients, respectively.