Abdominal aortic aneurysm history and symptoms
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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Microchapters |
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Differentiating Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm from other Diseases |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Abdominal aortic aneurysm history and symptoms On the Web |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Abdominal aortic aneurysm history and symptoms |
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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]
Overview
The vast majority of aneurysms are asymptomatic. 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.
History
Given that smoking increases the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm development, a smoking history should be obtained in elderly men. If a male over the age of 65 has a history of smoking, they should undergo ultrasonography to screen for an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Symptoms
Possible symptoms include
- Low back pain
- Flank pain
- Abdominal pain
- Groin pain
- Pulsating abdominal mass
- Clammy skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Peripheral embolization is rare with abdominal aortic aneurysms in contrast to popliteal artery aneurysms in which distal embolization is common.