Ultrasound and dissection of the abdominal aorta

Abstract

Ultrasonography is a useful non-invasive tool in the diagnosis of aortic dissection involving the abdominal aorta. Three cases are described in which the diagnosis of aortic dissection was established by ultrasound examination. Some of the pitfalls of contrast aortography are demonstrated and the importance of obtaining ultrasound scans in both the longitudinal and transverse planes is emphasised.