Bleeding into the intraluminal thrombus in abdominal aortic aneurysms is associated with rupture

CT scans showing the crescent sign (white arrow) in a ruptured AAA (A) and a localized area of high attenuation (white arrow) in an intact AAA (B). L, Lumen; T, intraluminal thrombus.

Percentage of patients with ruptured AAA (A) and intact AAA (B) with a crescent sign.

Relative attenuation in the ILT compared with the lumen in ruptured and intact AAA.

CT scans showing the rupture site through a thrombus covered aortic wall (A), through a thrombus-free wall (B), and at the edge of the thrombus (C). L, Lumen; T, intraluminal thrombus.

Observed rupture locations on the aortic wall. Few occurred in the posterior sector where the aorta is supported by the lumbar vertebrae (L).