Operative morbidity and mortality are elevated in patients with inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm. Preoperative identification of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm. the detection of the proximal level and of adhesions to adjacent structures are important for surgical management. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) for identification and staging in 13 patients with inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm were studied. Preoperative radiological diagnoses were validated by intraoperative findings. Correct identification of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm could be achieved in 85% by the use of CT and in 62% by ultrasonography. The proximal level of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm was correctly determined by CT in all patients and by ultrasonography in 62%. Using a transperitoneal approach, the condition was considered inoperable in two patients as a result of the suprarenal extent of the aneurysm and because of unremovable adhesions in two other cases. In the latter pair, it was impossible to predict inoperability by radiological findings. Sensitivity (85%) and specificity (100%) of standard radiological techniques to identify inflammatory changes are high. Inoperability caused by suprarenal extent could be detected correctly by routine radiological procedures. However, identification of dense adhesions appears uncertain.