Comparative Diagnostic Imaging

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This assignment will endeavour to demonstrate the map of medicine as followed within the National Health Service for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). It shall discuss the current AAA screening programme being implemented across the United Kingdom to include the use of Ultrasound and Computed Tomography (CT) as imaging modalities in the demonstration of AAAs. Both the advantages and disadvantages of the modalities used during the diagnosis and treatment of AAA will be shown.

Irwin and Rippe (2007, p382) define an aneurysm as; “a segment of the aortic lumen whose diameter exceeds 1.5 times the normal diameter for that segment”, and that “The most commonly encountered aortic aneurysm morphology is fusiform.“ This can be caused by a mechanical weakening of the muscle fibres in the arterial wall with resultant degenerative changes. High pressure of blood flow can cause the arterial wall to protrude or ultimately rupture, (HealthGuidance, Abdominal Aneurysm, 2011).

Due to an increased and more dynamic use of Ultrasound technology, and the increased age of the population, the prevalence for AAAs is also rising rapidly, (Jones, L. 2003). Currently AAA are most frequently discovered as incidental findings during routine examinations, (American College of Physicians, 2004). Yet with an approximate figure of 6000 people dying each year within the UK alone as a direct result of AAA, a National Screening Programme is being rolled out with the intention of reducing the mortality rate, (NHS, Screening Programmes. 2011). Ultrasound will be the modality of choice as it has been shown to have a 98% accuracy in measurement and sensitivity, (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellenc...

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...th January 2011]

The Vascular Society, Evidence Base. [online]

Available at: www.aaaqip.com/aaaqip/evidence-base.html

[20th January 2011]

HealthGuidance, 2011. Abdominal Aneurysm. [online]

Available at:

www.healthguidance.org/entry/7374/1/Abdominal-Aneurysm---Definition-Causes-Symptoms-and-Treatment.html

[25th January 2011]

RadiologyInfo, (RSNA & ACR), 2011. Abdominal Ultrasound. [online]

Available at: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=abdominus

[25th January 2011]

RadiologyInfo, (RSNA &ACR), 2011. CT Body [online]

Available at: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodyct

[25th January 2011]

American College of Physicians, 2004.

Ultrasound Screeing for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Summaries for Patients. [online]

Available at: http://www.annals.org/content/139/6/I-56.full

[26th January 2011]

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