Abdominal aortic aneurysm history and symptoms: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are usually asymptomatic until they expand or rupture. Spontaneous [[abdominal pain]] in a patient with a pulsatile epigastric mass or a known AAA may signal rupture into the retroperitoneum or leakage within the aneurysm wall. If a patient does develop symptoms, the risk of rupture is quite high, which is why symptoms are considered an indication for surgery. | Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are usually asymptomatic until they expand or rupture. Spontaneous [[abdominal pain]] in a patient with a pulsatile epigastric mass or a known AAA may signal a rupture into the retroperitoneum or leakage within the aneurysm wall. If a patient does develop symptoms, the risk of rupture is quite high, which is why symptoms are considered an indication for surgery. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Given that [[smoking]] increases the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm | Given that [[smoking]] increases the risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a [[smoking]] history should be obtained in elderly men. If a male over the age of 65 has a history of [[smoking]], he should undergo [[ultrasonography]] to screen for an AAA. | ||
==Symptoms== | ==Symptoms== | ||
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are usually asymptomatic until they expand or rupture. The following symptoms may be present: | Abdominal aortic aneurysms are usually asymptomatic until they expand or rupture. The following symptoms may be present: | ||
*[[Abdominal pain]] | *[[Abdominal pain]] | ||
* | *Lower [[back pain]] | ||
*[[Flank pain]] | *[[Flank pain]] | ||
*Groin [[pain]] | *Groin [[pain]] | ||
Revision as of 13:19, 2 January 2013
|
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Microchapters |
|
Differentiating Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm from other Diseases |
|---|
|
Diagnosis |
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Abdominal aortic aneurysm history and symptoms On the Web |
|
Directions to Hospitals Treating Abdominal aortic aneurysm history and symptoms |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Abdominal aortic aneurysm history and symptoms |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]; Hardik Patel, M.D.
Overview
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are usually asymptomatic until they expand or rupture. Spontaneous abdominal pain in a patient with a pulsatile epigastric mass or a known AAA may signal a rupture into the retroperitoneum or leakage within the aneurysm wall. If a patient does develop symptoms, the risk of rupture is quite high, which is why symptoms are considered an indication for surgery.
History
Given that smoking increases the risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a smoking history should be obtained in elderly men. If a male over the age of 65 has a history of smoking, he should undergo ultrasonography to screen for an AAA.
Symptoms
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are usually asymptomatic until they expand or rupture. The following symptoms may be present:
- Abdominal pain
- Lower back pain
- Flank pain
- Groin pain
- Pulsating abdominal mass
- Clammy skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Early satiety
- Urinary symptoms
- Venous thrombosis from venous compression
- Peripheral embolization (rare with abdominal aortic aneurysms in contrast to popliteal artery aneurysms in which distal embolization is common)
- Syncope