Computed Computed Tomography Tomography Angiography (CTA)Angiography (CTA)

What is CT What is CT Angiography?Angiography? An examination that uses x-rays to An examination that uses x-rays to

visualize blood flow in arterial and venous visualize blood flow in arterial and venous vessels throughout the body.vessels throughout the body.

Beams of x-rays are passed from a Beams of x-rays are passed from a rotating device through the area of rotating device through the area of interest in the patient’s body from several interest in the patient’s body from several different angles to create cross-sectional different angles to create cross-sectional images.images.

Images are assembled by computer into Images are assembled by computer into three dimensional pictures.three dimensional pictures.

Common Uses of the Common Uses of the ProcedureProcedure Examine pulmonary arteries in Examine pulmonary arteries in

the lungs to r/o pulmonary the lungs to r/o pulmonary embolism.embolism.

Identify aneurysms in the aorta.Identify aneurysms in the aorta. Identify dissection in the aorta.Identify dissection in the aorta. Detect atherosclerotic disease.Detect atherosclerotic disease. Detect thrombosis in veins.Detect thrombosis in veins.

EquipmentEquipment

Specialized x-ray machine.Specialized x-ray machine. It’s opening is about two feet in It’s opening is about two feet in

diameter.diameter. Inside frame of the scanner is a Inside frame of the scanner is a

rotating device with an x-ray tube rotating device with an x-ray tube mounted on one side and a mounted on one side and a detector on the other side.detector on the other side.

Spiral CTSpiral CT Records large number of pictures Records large number of pictures

in a short time.in a short time.

How does the How does the procedure work?procedure work? Injection of contrast materialInjection of contrast material Automatic injector machineAutomatic injector machine X-raysX-rays DetectorDetector Powerful computer programsPowerful computer programs

BenefitsBenefits

Examines blood vesselsExamines blood vessels Anatomical detailAnatomical detail Useful way of screening for Useful way of screening for

arterial diseasearterial disease Less time consumingLess time consuming Less discomfortLess discomfort

RisksRisks

Allergic reactionsAllergic reactions Kidney disease Kidney disease Severe diabetesSevere diabetes Pregnant WomenPregnant Women

Limitations of CTALimitations of CTA

Fuzzy imagesFuzzy images Blocked blood vesselsBlocked blood vessels Twisted arteriesTwisted arteries

Figure 2. Figure 2. Oblique sagittal (a) and coronal (b) reformation images show Oblique sagittal (a) and coronal (b) reformation images show the fistula (large arrows) on the right S-1 root sheath supplied by the the fistula (large arrows) on the right S-1 root sheath supplied by the lateral sacral artery (white arrow), and engorged perimedullary lateral sacral artery (white arrow), and engorged perimedullary venous plexus (small arrows). Catheter angiography (c) of right venous plexus (small arrows). Catheter angiography (c) of right internal iliac artery shows similar depiction of (a) and (b). internal iliac artery shows similar depiction of (a) and (b).

ReferencesReferences

Radiology Info, The Radiology Information Resource For Radiology Info, The Radiology Information Resource For Patients. Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA). Patients. Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA). January 18, 2006. Retrieved Feb. 15, 2006 from January 18, 2006. Retrieved Feb. 15, 2006 from http://www.radiologyinfo.org/http://www.radiologyinfo.org/

Images came from Google Images- Computed Tomography Images came from Google Images- Computed Tomography AngiographyAngiography