'Inflammatory' abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The term 'inflammatory aneurysm' is used to describe a variant of atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysms in which the wall of the aneurysm is unusually thick and surrounded by extensive fibrosis and adhesions. Repair of these aneurysms is associated with a higher mortality and morbidity than repair of those which are non-inflammatory, so that diagnosis prior to surgery is desirable. The use of computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound in this differentiation is discussed. The correct diagnosis was made in 16 out of 17 by CT, but in only three of nine cases who had ultrasound scans.