Overview
An abdominal ultrasound is a medical imaging test that uses sound waves to see inside the belly (abdomen) area. It’s the preferred screening test for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, the test may be used to diagnose or rule out many other health conditions.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm, or aortic aneurysm, is an enlarged area in the lower part of the body’s main artery (aorta). Health care providers recommend an abdominal ultrasound to screen for an aortic aneurysm in men ages 65 to 75 who smoke or used to smoke. Such screening isn’t recommended for people who’ve never smoked. But it may be done if you have symptoms or a family history of an aortic aneurysm.
Why it’s done
An abdominal ultrasound is done to see the blood vessels and organs in the belly area. Your health care provider may recommend this test if you have a condition affecting any of these body areas:
- Blood vessels in the abdomen
- Gallbladder
- Intestines
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Spleen
For example, an abdominal ultrasound can help determine the cause of stomach pain or bloating. It can help check for kidney stones, liver disease, tumors and many other conditions. Your provider may recommend this test if you’re at risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Screening for aortic aneurysms
An abdominal ultrasound is the most common test to screen for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Screening means looking for the condition in people without symptoms. Early diagnosis helps you and your provider take steps to manage and treat the aneurysm. If an aortic aneurysm ruptures, the bleeding can quickly lead to death.
A one-time abdominal aortic ultrasound screening is recommended for men ages 65 to 75 who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes during their lifetimes.
Screening is also recommended for men age 60 and older who have or had a parent or sibling with aortic aneurysm. It’s otherwise unclear if men who have never smoked may benefit from such screening.
Routine ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms isn’t recommended for women.
