Title: Diagnostic efficacy value in terms of sensitivity and specificity of imaging modalities in detecting the abdominal aortic aneurysm: a systematic review

Authors: Abdullah O. Alamoudi; Syed Haque; Shankar Srinivasan; Dinesh P. Mital

Addresses: Department of Health Informatics, School of Health Related Professions, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, 07107-3001, New Jersey, USA ' Department of Health Informatics, School of Health Related Professions, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, 07107-3001, New Jersey, USA ' Department of Health Informatics, School of Health Related Professions, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, 07107-3001, New Jersey, USA ' Department of Health Informatics, School of Health Related Professions, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, 07107-3001, New Jersey, USA

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine whether duplex ultrasonography (DUS) or MR angiography (MRA) or CT angiography (CTA) is more applicable to use as alternative modality in terms of sensitivity and specificity for detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). A search of the medical databases was performed for describing AAA evaluation and detection. Twenty eight studies were found and met the selection criteria. Diameter of aneurysms was categorised by size: ≤ 2.5 cm of the aneurysm diameter. For aneurisms ≤ 2.5 cm, the mean reported sensitivities and specificities were DUS: 81% and 91.1%; CTA: 84.3% and 98.4%; MRA: 95.8% and 95.8%, respectively compared DSA as gold standard. MRA has the highest sensitivity and CTA has the highest specificity reported diagnostic accuracy in detecting the aneurysm ≤ 2.5 cm of AAA diameter and they could be used as a reliable alternative modality to invasive DSA.

Keywords: abdominal aortic aneurysm; AAA detection; CT angiography; CTA; computed tomography; digital subtraction angiography; duplex ultrasonography; DUS; MR angiography; MRA; magnetic resonance angiography; imaging modalities; aneurysms; aneurysm diameter; diagnostic accuracy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMEI.2015.066240

International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics, 2015 Vol.7 No.1, pp.15 - 35

Published online: 09 Dec 2014 *

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