Aorta - POCUS Utility in Suspected AAA Rupture
Caption
A 76 year old male presented to the ED for abdominal pain and syncope. He was tachycardic but normotensive. US performed with Sonosite 5-2MHz C60 probe with patient in supine position and probe held in transverse orientation revealed a AAA measuring ~9cm in AP diameter at its largest point. The AAA had an anechoic center with echogenic material in the posterior lumen, representing cholesterol deposit. Free fluid was seen anterior to the AAA suggestive of rupture which was confirmed by STAT CTA Aortagram. Patient was admitted to the OR for surgery. In this scenario, POCUS was a safe, non-invasive study that played a critical role in diagnosis of a ruptured AAA and accelerated surgical intervention. Susan Dhamala, MS4, Drexel University College of Medicine Brenton Elliot, MD, Crozer Chester Medical Center Matthew Cully, DO, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children Kevin Conor Welch, DO, Crozer Chester Medical Center Max Cooper, MD, RDMS, Director of Emergency Ultrasonography at Crozer Chester Medical Center