Sonographic Characterization of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Case Study
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Myka Bussey-Campbell
Location
Savannah Ballroom
Type of Research
Proposed
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
Waters College of Health Professions
Department
Clinical Sciences
Abstract
An abdominal aortic aneurysm, also known as an AAA, is a silent killer that usually presents with no symptoms. On ultrasound, an AAA usually presents alongside decreased vascularity and turbulent flow. Ultrasound is the gold standard for imaging of abdominal aortic aneurysms, due to cost effectiveness and no radiation exposure. This specific case involves a 50 year old woman who was coming in for a scheduled renal ultrasound.The ultrasound equipment used was a Philips EPIQ ultrasound machine with a curvilinear probe. During her renal exam, a critical AAA could be seen when looking at the left kidney. A normal aorta in transverse typically measures around 2 cm, while in this case it was measuring more like 7 cm, which is considered a high risk of rupturing and in need of immediate surgical intervention.This case represents an encounter with an incidental finding, which really highlights the importance of routine screening.
Keywords: Turbulent flow, rupture, incidental finding, surgical intervention, screening , abdominal ultrasound
Program Description
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Start Date
4-21-2026 1:30 PM
End Date
4-21-2026 3:30 PM
Recommended Citation
Ryan, Kayla, "Sonographic Characterization of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Case Study" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 66.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026A/2026A/66
Sonographic Characterization of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Case Study
Savannah Ballroom
An abdominal aortic aneurysm, also known as an AAA, is a silent killer that usually presents with no symptoms. On ultrasound, an AAA usually presents alongside decreased vascularity and turbulent flow. Ultrasound is the gold standard for imaging of abdominal aortic aneurysms, due to cost effectiveness and no radiation exposure. This specific case involves a 50 year old woman who was coming in for a scheduled renal ultrasound.The ultrasound equipment used was a Philips EPIQ ultrasound machine with a curvilinear probe. During her renal exam, a critical AAA could be seen when looking at the left kidney. A normal aorta in transverse typically measures around 2 cm, while in this case it was measuring more like 7 cm, which is considered a high risk of rupturing and in need of immediate surgical intervention.This case represents an encounter with an incidental finding, which really highlights the importance of routine screening.
Keywords: Turbulent flow, rupture, incidental finding, surgical intervention, screening , abdominal ultrasound
