CT of aortic aneurysms: the distinction between mural and thrombus calcification

Aortic Calcification

“…Twelve studies have used CT to measure abdominal aortic calcification, [29][30][31][32][33][34][35]43,[48][49][50][51] however, there is variation in the grading and location of these measurements. For example, Kimura et al 31 quantified the aortic calcification as a percentage of the cross sectional area of the aorta whereas, Miwa et al 32 although using a similar quantification method, expressed the calcification as a percentage of the aortic volume in their prospective study.…”

“…41 The investigators reported a percentage of agreement for absence versus presence of progression of calcification of 88% with a k statistic of 0.74. Nakamura et al 39 on the other hand measured the length of abdominal aortic calcification by tracing the regions onto tracing EBCT Calcium score Abdominal aorta [27] EBCT Calcium score Abdominal aorta (right kidney to iliac bifurcation) [28] EBCT Calcium score Diaphragm to iliac bifurcation [29] CT Calcification grade Coeliac artery origin; left renal vein level; aortic bifurcation [30] CT Calcification volume SMA to iliac bifurcation [31] CT Aortic calcification area index (%) Above common iliac bifurcation [32] CT Aortic calcification volume (%) Above common iliac bifurcation [33] CT Atherosclerosis index Abdominal aorta (L3 or L4) [34] CT Degree of calcification (%) Aortic arch to bifurcation [35] CT Calcification grades SMA to bifurcation [43] CT Calcification volume (%) At and above common iliac bifurcation [48] CT Aortic calcification index Abdominal aorta [49] CT Vessel wall or thrombus calcification Abdominal aorta [50] CT Aortic calcification index Abdominal aorta [51] CT Aortic calcification index Abdominal aorta [36] X-ray Calcification grades Abdominal aorta [37] X-ray Calcification grades Abdominal aorta (T12-S1) [38] X-ray Calcification grades Aortic wall at each vertebral segment (L1-L4) [39] X-ray Calcific deposit length (mm) Abdominal aorta (L1-L5) [40] X-ray AAC index Abdominal aorta (L1-L4) [41] X-ray Aortic length involved Abdominal aorta (T12-S1) [42] X-ray Calcification grades Abdominal aorta [44] X-ray Calcification grade Abdominal aorta [45] X-ray Calcium score Abdominal aorta [46] X-ray Semi-quantitative score Abdominal aorta [47] X-ray Presence of calcium Abdominal aorta [52] X-ray Calcium score Abdominal aorta [53] X-ray Calcium score Abdominal aorta [54] X-ray Calcium score Abdominal aorta (L1-L4) AAC, abdominal aortic calc...…”

A Simple Blood Test, Such as Complete Blood Count, Can Predict Calcification Grade of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

“…Nevertheless, since aneurysm size does not completely represent the natural history of AAA [ 5 – 8 ] other risk factors, including calcification, have been investigated. Different degrees of mural calcification exist and the gravity of calcification seems to be associated with the risk of rupture [ 9 – 11 ]. Actually no prognostic indices to evaluate progression of calcification exist and repetition of imaging to monitor AAA expansion is necessary, with some important limitations such as cost or availability [ 12 , 13 ].…”

Inverse Correlation Between Calcium Accumulation and the Expansion Rate of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

“…A clinical marker or imaging index reflecting the future expansion rate of AAAs could contribute to clinical decision-making regarding the most appropriate interval between serial scans of an AAA, as well as the most timely AAA repair, but such a useful marker or index remains to be elucidated. Because aortic calcification is a common finding in patients with AAA, 5 we considered the possibility that AAA calcification could be a potent candidate marker. Given the evidence that the AAA expansion rate is lower in patients with diabetes than in those without diabetes, 6 despite the high susceptibility to advanced atherosclerosis as well as calcification in diabetic patients, AAA calcification and AAA expansion could be inversely correlated.…”