Kauppila et al reported several indices for describing the severity of calcifications within the abdominal aorta. This can be monitored over time to evaluate disease progression. The authors are from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
Examination: lateral lumbar X-ray
Levels: first, second, third and fourth lumbar vertebra (4 levels)
Locations evaluated: anterior and posterior aorta (2 locations)
Target: atherosclerotic-related calcifications in the abdominal aorta
Severity
Points
none
0
mild
1
moderate
2
severe
3
Indices:
(1) number of vertebral levels showing calcification: from 0 to 4
(2) number of anterior and posterior sites affected at the four levels: ranges from 0 to 8
(3) sum of severity scores for anterior and posterior at the four levels: ranges from 0 to 24
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