Prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms in urology patients referred for ultrasound

During a 3-year period, all urology patients over the age of 50 years refer red for ultrasound investigation of the renal tract, underwent routine exam ination of the abdominal aorta. A total of 2281 patients were examined (179 8 men and 483 women) and an abdominal aortic aneurysm was detected in 57 (2 .5%). In men over the age of 65 years, 47 aneurysms were detected (4.9%). T he mean time taken to scan the aorta was 43 s. We recommend the routine pra ctice of examining the abdominal aorta in all men over the age of 60 years referred for ultrasound examination of the renal tract.