Abdominal, back, or flank pain of sudden onset is characteristic of a rapidly expanding or ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, in some cases, treatment is necessary to prevent severe symptoms … The size increases very gradually as people age. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly men, and prevalence is predicted to increase in parallel with a global aging population. What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm? Because abdominal aortic aneurysms are typically slow-growing, patients may not have symptoms until it is near rupture, which can be a deadly condition. Abdominal aortic diameter ≥ 3 cm typically constitutes an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Treatment for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) As an aneurysm grows in size, the wall of the aorta becomes weaker and weaker, which means surgical intervention may be needed. Thoracic aortic aneurysm symptoms usually don’t occur until the bulge begins to leak blood, tear, or expand. Since abdominal aneurysm may not have symptoms, it's called the "silent killer" because it may rupture before being diagnosed. When symptoms do occur, it usually indicates that the aneurysm is large and/or is growing rapidly. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an aneurysm (blood vessel rupture) in the part of the aorta that passes through the belly (abdomen). An abdominal aortic aneurysm can occur without any symptoms, and it may not always require treatment. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are fairly common and can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. The goal of any treatment strategy is to preventing the rupture of an aneurysm by controlling the growth of the aneurysm. An abdominal aortic aneurysm usually causes a balloon-like swelling. The cause is multifactorial, but atherosclerosis is often involved. An abdominal aortic aneurysm can develop slowly over the years without causing any symptoms. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is less likely to cause symptoms than a thoracic aortic aneurysm because there is generally more “room” in the abdomen for the aneurysm to grow before it affects other body structures. The pain may be severe or dull. Once an aneurysm is suspected, the following imaging tests may be used to determine size, location of the aneurysm, and treatment options: True aneurysms involve dilation of all layers of the vessel wall. The diagnosis should be entertained whenever a patient older than 50 years presents with abdominal pain, particularly when pain is associated with syncope or signs of hemorrhagic shock. Abdominal aortic aneurysms usually do not have symptoms, but a pulsating sensation in the abdomen and/or the back has been described. Aortic aneurysm (Abdominal Aneurysm; Dissecting Aneurysm; Thoracic Aneurysm;) is a localized, circumscribed, blood-filled abnormal dilation of an artery caused by disease or weakening of the vessel wall.. The wall of the aorta bulges out. If the abdominal aorta becomes larger than 3 centimeters, this is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. If a person has an aortic aneurysm, it is important to make the diagnosis as early as possible, in order to prevent rupture or other complications.Doctors diagnose aortic aneurysms with imaging studies that can show the presence or absence of an aneurysm, its size, its location, and its effect on surrounding structures. AAA is commonly asymptomatic, and in the absence of routine screening, diagnosis is usually incidental when imagin … Most abdominal aneurysms are diagnosed during a routine physical examination or on X-ray when being tested for other health concerns. Pain is the most common symptom of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. 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