Measurement of Abdominal Aortic Diameters in Normal Saudi Population Using Computed Tomography

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the normal reference diameters of the abdominal aorta in Saudi population, and to study the variations in aortic diameters among age and sex. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study, using archival abdominal enhanced contrast CT scan images from PACS, axial plane was used to apply all aortic measurements including the antropostrior (AP) and transverse (TR) diameters at three levels of AA which were the level immediately superior to exit of coeliac axis at level of T12, infra renal at level of L2, and supra bifurcation at level of L4. Measurements were tested for correlation, variance in diameters, and mean differences were tested using paired t-test. Results: One hundred and twenty-four people were enrolled. 62 male and 62 female, the measurements of AP and TR diameters at proximal, middle, and distal levels of the AA, the AP diameters at proximal aortic level were found to be 17.787 ±2.430mm in male, and 20.239 ±2.630mm in female, and the TR diameters at this level presented 18.477 ±2.359mm in male, and 17.565 ±2.620mm in female. While the AP diameters at middle aortic level in male and female respectively were 14.582 ±2.373mm, 13.729 ±2.110mm, and TR diameters at same level were 14.340 ±1.928mm, 13.247 ±1.529mm. Whereas the AP diameters at distal aortic level were 13.663 ±1.658mm, 12.569 ±1.465mm, and the TR diameters were 13.942 ±1.737mm, 12.892 ±1.340mm in male and female respectively.

Conclusion: This study established a set of normal values for the proximal, middle and distal abdominal aorta in Saudi population and concluded that age and gender considered as factors affect the diameters of abdominal aorta, aortic diameters were found to be greater in male than female and showed a significant increase with age.