Abstract
In this report there are three cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). These patients underwent preoperative evaluation with real-time virtual sonography (RVS), which can synchronize US image and CT image. Case 1: 72-year-old male. Maximum diameter of AAA: 55 mm. Indication for graft replacement (Y-graft). Preoperative RSV indicated that US and CT showed the same findings, such as characteristics of the wall from renal artery to aneurysm. Case 2: 63-year-old male. Maximum diameter of AAA: 52 mm, kinking. Indication for graft replacement (Y-graft) Preoperative RSV indicated that US and CT showed the same findings, such as mural thrombus, characteristics of the wall, and plaque on the posterior wall of infrarenal artery. Plaque on the proximal left CIA seen in CT image is unclear in US image, and this suggests the presence of a hypoechoic unstable plaque. Case 3: 79-year-old female. Maximum diameter of AAA: 44 mm, mild kinking. We considered an indication for stent grafting, but did not employ it because preoperative RSV indicated that US recognized a mobile plaque. This plaque is likely to move due to pulsation in the Stent-Graft landing zone which could be a source for an embolism. We consider the US preoperative evaluation, utilizing RVS, as an extremely useful diagnostic technique.
