Axial computed tomography and duplex scanning for the determination of maximal abdominal aortic diameter in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms

Background: The aim of this study is to assess differences between axial computed tomography and duplex ultrasound, based on measurements of maximal aortic diameter in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. Methods: From January 2002 until December 2004, 322 patients were admitted with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. All of them underwent abdominal duplex ultrasound scanning and computed tomography by separate laboratories in order to determine the maximal aortic diameter. The computed tomography technologists were blinded to all duplex results and vice versa. Results: Mean computed tomography maximal aortic diameter was 56.17 mm and mean duplex maximal aortic diameter was 53.44 mm. Computed tomography measurements were greater than duplex in 97.83% of the patients. Conclusions: Axial computed tomography consistently overestimates the maximal aortic diameter measurements in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms compared with duplex ultrasound.