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Is It Possible To Miss An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm On A CT Scan?

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Posted on Wed, 18 Mar 2015
Question: Is it possible to miss an abdominal aortic aneurysm on a ct scan without iv contrast? I am having a strong pulsing feeling in my left abdomen by my belly button. This all started a little over 24 hours ago with stabbing pain in my left back.
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Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm cannot be missed on CT scan abdomen non contrast

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
In CT scan abdomen even without IV contrast, the diameter of abdominal aorta can be clearly made out. It is true that the inner lumen cannot be exactly measured without giving IV contrast but the dilatation in an abdominal aortic aneurysm will be clearly visible.

In conclusion, the outer diameter of abdominal aorta can be estimated when doing a non contrast CT scan abdomen. Therefore abdominal aorta cannot be missed.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Vivek Chail

Radiologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 6874 Questions

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Is It Possible To Miss An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm On A CT Scan?

Brief Answer: Abdominal aortic aneurysm cannot be missed on CT scan abdomen non contrast Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, Thanks for writing in to us. I have read through your query in detail. In CT scan abdomen even without IV contrast, the diameter of abdominal aorta can be clearly made out. It is true that the inner lumen cannot be exactly measured without giving IV contrast but the dilatation in an abdominal aortic aneurysm will be clearly visible. In conclusion, the outer diameter of abdominal aorta can be estimated when doing a non contrast CT scan abdomen. Therefore abdominal aorta cannot be missed. Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts. Regards, Dr.Vivek