The screening test for aneurysms - for both the aorta and the popliteal arteries - is ultrasound.

Ultrasound gives a black and white picture of the blood vessel - and the size can be measured very accurately. There are no needles or X-rays. The examiner merely smears some gel onto the tummy or the back of the leg and then rubs the ultrasound probe over the skin. The picture appears on the screen and the measurements can be made.

Using Duplex ultrasound, not only can the blood vessel be seen and measured but the blood flow can be seen as well, within the artery. This shows whether the blood fills the vessel or whether there is clot in the artery - or aneurysm

Using ultrasound, the vascular technologist who performs the scan can report:

• If an aneurysm is present
• If an artery is dilating and becoming and aneurysm
• What size the aneurysm is
• If there is any clot inside the aneurysm
• If there are any narrow areas in the arteries

Using this information, an assessment can be made. This assessment is used to plan what happens to the patient.