CT Manifestations of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Computed tomography (CT) appearances of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) were reviewed and correlated with surgical findings in eleven patients. All aneurysms were located in the lower abdominal aorta, measuring 4-11 cm in diameter. In ten of the eleven patients, CT depicted a large aneurysm and the presence of ill- defined retroperitoneal fluid collection of high density. Within the retroperitoneum, the high- density fluid formed primarily in posterior pararenal and perirenal spaces. In the eleventh patient, only a small focal periaortic blood collection near the aneurysm was demonstrated. Focal area of indistinctness in the aortic wall, at the site of rupture was found in seven patients. All these patients underwent immediate surgery, which confirmed the site of aneurysm, presence of rupture, and the location of retroperitoneal blood.