To date, the most accessible of all methods of diagnosing the structure and condition is ultrasound of the abdominal aorta. This study is an ultrasound dopplerography, in which you can determine not only the structural features of the vessel and its branches, but also visualize the speed of blood flow through them.
The purpose of such an ultrasound
The main goal of ultrasound of the abdominal aorta is the study of aneurysms. Such a violation consists in the expansion of large arteries, which can be general or local. This pathological phenomenon is a consequence of the weakening of the vascular wall and the accumulation of blood in some parts of the bloodstream. The aorta itself is the main arterial vessel in the human body, which passes through many sites, including through the abdominal cavity. This zone performs the most important function of blood supply to the legs and lower body.
Indications for the study
The main factor in which ultrasound of the abdominal aorta is advisable is the presence in the patient of soreness in the abdomen, which often radiates to the lumbar region. At the same time, the patient's sensations are similar to renal colic, that is, it is aching and severe pain. As for the localization of the pain syndrome, it is felt near the navel and in the left side of the body, however, it can be given to the inguinal region and lower extremities. If the patient is thin, the pulsation of the aneurysm can be felt. All such clinical symptoms are often accompanied by complaints of bloating and heaviness in the abdomen.
In addition to the obvious signs, which require an ultrasound of the abdominal aorta, there are other indications for this procedure:
- headaches and dizziness of a constant nature, pulsation in the neck and temples;
- persistent arterial hypotension or hypertension;
- when turning the head in front of the eyes, “flies” may flicker;
- previous stroke, hypertensive crisis, ischemia or trauma of the abdomen;
- smoking for a long time;
- age after 60 years;
- memory impairment;
- epilepsy.
Preparation for the procedure
The price of abdominal aortic ultrasound is of interest to many. About it below.
In order for a specialist to freely explore the aorta and its branches, the patient must properly prepare for such a procedure. To do this, you must adhere to the following simple rules:
- 2 days before the scheduled examination, all food should be excluded from the diet, the intake of which can provoke flatulence and increased gas formation. This includes: legumes, cabbage, potatoes, melon, dairy products, soda and all dishes with a high volume of carbohydrates.
- Two days before the study, the patient is recommended to start taking medications that help normalize the intestines. The most effective of these drugs is the drug Espumisan. A good alternative is regular activated carbon. This will reduce the manifestations of gas formation in the intestine and the visualization of the aorta and its branches on ultrasound will be more clear.
- It is necessary to completely abandon food and fluid 8 hours before the procedure.
- If the patient has chronic constipation, in the evening before the examination, it is recommended to make 2 cleansing enemas using saline.
Features of the diagnosis
Patients who do not have information about how the process of conducting this study is conducted often feel fear about the procedure, but this is in vain. Diagnosis of the abdominal aorta and its branches does not give a person any unpleasant or painful sensations. The process of ultrasound of the abdominal aorta is carried out in several main stages:
- The patient comes to the reception, is located on the couch, on the right side of the doctor. The patient's head is located approximately at the level of the screen, so he can observe what is happening.
- Further, the specialist lubricates the special ultrasonic sensor and the patient’s stomach with a clear echogenic gel, which helps to reduce tissue resistance and contributes to the most rapid and unhindered penetration of the ultrasonic wave inside.
- Then the ultrasound specialist slowly moves the sensor along the surface of the abdominal wall and voices the results of the observations to the assistant, who fixes them in the conclusion about the procedure.
The ultrasound procedure of the abdominal aorta and its branches lasts approximately 15-20 minutes. After the end of the study, you can immediately return to the usual daily routine and nutritional features. Ultrasound examination can be carried out by the following methods:
- duplex ultrasound scanning (SPL);
- Doppler color scanning (CDK);
- Doppler ultrasound (Doppler ultrasound).
The latest technique for ultrasound of the vessels of the abdominal aorta is based on the Doppler effect, which is characterized by the study of changes that occur when a sound wave is reflected from blood cells. This technique is also called ultrasound and is used for an initial examination, because it allows you to determine only the general characteristics of the state of this vessel in the abdominal region and, secondarily, the parameters of blood flow in it. Ultrasound specialist receives high-resolution graphic images. Information goes to the dashboard of a special ultrasound machine. Based on these images, you can conduct the necessary research.
Norm of ultrasound of the abdominal aorta
During the study, the abdominal aorta is examined in cross section. This gives the specialist the opportunity to evaluate the numerical characteristics of this vessel for compliance with normal indicators. The value is taken along the largest inner diameter of the aorta in a transverse section. Normally, in adults, it should not be more than 3 centimeters. For iliac branches, this figure is slightly lower and amounts to a maximum of 1.5 centimeters. If during the study the specialist received indicators less than the above, then a pathology such as aortic aneurysm is excluded. If the values are more than normal, the diagnosis is confirmed.
Decoding of the research results
When conducting ultrasound examinations of the abdominal aorta, the doctor examines the vessel along its entire length. The main anomaly in this case is any increase in diameter. The result of the study is the decoding of ultrasound of the abdominal aorta. Its quality depends, as a rule, on the qualifications and experience of a specialist. Based on the decryption, the following pathologies are determined:
- atherosclerosis, the development of which is a consequence of damage to the vascular walls of cholesterol and its accumulation on them in the form of plaques;
- stenosis of the celiac trunk, in which there is too narrow a diameter of the main branches of the aorta;
- an aneurysm, which is a pathology, the main sign of which is an increase in the diameter of the vessel;
- occlusion - a pronounced narrowing of the aortic lumen to a state of absolute obstruction;
- tortuosity of the aortic arch, which is due to hereditary factors and manifests itself in the form of elongations, tortuosity, kinks and loop formation of the vessel.
Aortic aneurysm
Ultrasound of the abdominal aorta reveals aneurysm quite often.
As already noted, aneurysm is a significant expansion of the aortic section in diameter, and in the department, located low in the direction of the pelvis. Increased performance may be as follows:
- 3-3.5 cm - in this case, the patient needs to regularly come for examinations to monitor pathological phenomena;
- 4-5 cm - with this diameter of the vessel, it is possible to develop the process of its stratification within one year;
- 5 cm or more - with aneurysms of such sizes, urgent surgery is indicated, since there is a high risk of rupture of the pathological section of the vascular wall, resulting in severe abdominal bleeding and death.
Abdominal aortic wall compaction
This pathological process can develop on any part of the aortic column - a specific area, root or its entire length. In addition to ultrasound, compaction of the walls of the aorta is also detected using x-ray studies. This pathology is especially dangerous of all. With increased pressure or high physical exertion, there is a possibility of stratification of the walls of the vessel, as a result of which blood begins to flow there and aortic rupture occurs in the abdominal region.
Aortic Atherosclerosis
Ultrasound of the abdominal aorta reveals the nature of the blood flow in it and its possible pathologies. With an increased level of cholesterol in the body, plaques form on the walls of the arteries that interfere with the proper blood supply to the tissues. This pathological process is called atherosclerosis of the aortic arch. Its main danger is that in the early stages of formation, the symptoms of the disease are practically absent. Only through ultrasound diagnostics can the presence of atherosclerotic plaques, even small ones, be detected. Along with this study, with suspicion of this disease, others are prescribed, such as:
- radiography;
- dopplerography of the veins of the lower extremities;
- blood test for cholesterol.
Price of abdominal aortic ultrasound
The cost of this study starts from 700 rubles. It depends on the region and on the pricing policy of the clinic.