Positron Emission Tomography Fluorine-18-Labeled 2-Deoxy-2-Fluoro-d-Glucose Tells a Complicated Story in the Aortic Aneurysm Wall.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) was first described in the second century by Antyllus, who surgically ligated the proximal and distal ends of the aneurysm. The modern treatment of AAA began with the first AAA replacement using a homograft in 1951. Since that time, the screening, diagnostic method, surveillance, and treatment of AAA have been very well studied and incorporated into a modern paradigm of care. The results of this work is the dramatic reduction in aneurysm-related mortality for patients who maintain care and contact with a healthcare provider. Indeed, in patients found to have an infrarenal aorta of 4 cm in diameter, aneurysm rupture or repair is the number 4 cause of death behind other cardiovascular, cancer, and lung disease, representing 6% to 8% of the total mortality.