CT Angiography
CT angiography uses a CT scanner to produce detailed images of both blood vessels and tissues in various parts of the body.
At Life Medical Imaging we offer CT Angiography (CTA) scans of vascular anatomy.
Using contrast injected into the blood vessels, images are created to look for blockages, aneurysms, dissections, and stenosis.
Our low dose CT scanner provides images of the vessels allowing for the diagnosis of diseases.
Ultra-low Dose, High Definition CT Scans
Ultrasound
Interventional Radiology
Other Imaging
Doctors use angiography to diagnose and treat blood vessel diseases and conditions. Angiography exams produce pictures of major blood vessels throughout the body. In some cases, contrast material is used.
Doctors perform angiography using:
- x-rays with catheters
- computed tomography (CT)
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
CT angiography uses a CT scanner to produce detailed images of both blood vessels and tissues in various parts of the body. During the exam, contrast material is injected through a small cannula placed in a vein of the arm. A radiologic technologist will capture high-resolution CT images while the contrast material flows through the blood vessels.
You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam. You may need to wear a gown during the procedure.
Metal objects, including jewellery, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins, may affect the CT images. Leave them at home or remove them prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work.
Women will be asked to remove bras containing metal underwire. You may be asked to remove any piercings, if possible.
You will be asked not to eat or drink anything for a few hours beforehand, if contrast material will be used in your exam. You should inform your physician of all medications you are taking and if you have any allergies.
If you have a known allergy to contrast material, your doctor may prescribe medications (usually a steroid) to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. To avoid unnecessary delays, contact your doctor before the exact time of your exam.
Also inform your doctor of any recent illnesses or other medical conditions and whether you have a history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid problems. Any of these conditions may increase the risk of an adverse effect.
There are many similarities between conventional x-ray imaging and CT scanning. During conventional x-ray imaging, a single x-ray beam source sends x-rays through the body. A detector plate captures the x-rays that come out of the body.
Based on the amount of x-rays blocked by the body organs, the image will appear in different shades of grey. For example, bones appear white on the x-ray while air is relatively black.
For CT scans, multiple x-ray beam sources and sets of x-ray detectors spin around the body at high speed. The x-ray beam sources send multiple small high-energy x-ray beams through the body.
The detectors capture those x-rays that come out of the body. During the examination, you will lie on a table that moves through the CT scanner so that the x-ray beams can examine different areas of the body.
Then, a fast computer will take the information gathered from the scanner to produce images of the body. The computer processes a large volume of CT scan data to create two or three-dimensional images of the body.
A CT angiography produces detailed images of both blood vessels and tissues in various parts of the body. Contrast material is injected in a vein of the arm to allow your doctor to capture high-resolution CT images while the contrast material flows through the blood vessels.
Risks of CT angiography: – Radiation exposure risk. However, the amount of radiation used during is considered minimal so the benefits generally outweigh the risks. -Allergic reactions or Irritations to the contrast material injected.
A CT scan and a CT angiogram are basically the same procedure. CT stands for computerized tomography and is one of the angiography techniques currently used, along with traditional x-rays with catheters, and MRI.
For CT angiograms, you will generally not be sedated, as general anaesthesia is not required.