Abdominal Arteriosonography

Abstract

The ability of Ultra-sound to demonstrate the course and dimensions of major abdominal vessels accurately has long been known. However, it was such technologic advances as gray scale and real-time. Ultra-sound that resulted in regular identification of major branch vessels and their divisions. The newer modalities led not only to the recognition of a variety of intrinsic pathological changes in the aorta and inferior vena cava but also to appreciate these normal vascular structures by para-aortic and para-caval disease. In addition, the identification of branch vessels facilitated recognition of the boundaries of organs such as pancreas, thus permitting more reliable demonstration of these organs. The introduction of range-gated, pulsed Doppler linked to the real time equipment affords the opportunity to not only image intra-abdominal vessels but also assess the velocity, direction and nature of blood flow within these vessels. Improvement in surgical techniques now allows the resection of an extensive aortic aneurysm with subsequent reanastamosis of branch vessels. Careful planning of such extensive surgery is vital for successful outcome; therefore accurate knowledge of the point of origin and course of aortic branch vessels is mandatory.