ASSESSMENT OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM RISK - ASYMMETRY AS AN ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TOOL?

摘要

It is proposed that the degree of asymmetry within each particular AAA case may have clinical importance. High levels of asymmetry may indicate elevated wall stress, and therefore have an implication with regard to rupture. The method of determining asymmetry developed here can be readily employed by the clinician using either standard 2D CT scans or from 3D reconstruction. Once determined, the degree of asymmetry could be incorporated into the surgical decision-making process, along with diameter, and possibly other important factors, such as. wall strength, in order to improve the current trend of repair based solely on maximum diameter.