Abdominal aortic aneurism, ultrasound scan - Stockfoto

Ultrasound scan of a patient's abdominal aorta (segment of the body's main artery) revealing an aneurysm, or swelling. The red and blue color indicates that a bidirectional flow is occurring because of swirling of blood within the dilated aorta. Aortic aneurysms are usually due to an underlying weakness in the wall of the artery. This may lead to rupture, causing severe pain, massive internal haemorrhage (bleeding), and, if left untreated, death