There are many different types of body research for the diagnosis of diseases. Among them, CT angiography, which gives a complete picture of the vessels in the test cavity for more accurate diagnosis and choice of ways for further treatment. Unlike simple angiography, this procedure is painless and not traumatic.
Angiography - indications
Computer tomography angiography is performed in a variety of situations. Thanks to the use of this modern method, it was possible to significantly reduce the contact of the patient with X-ray irradiation, which was widely used in previous years for the same purpose. This type of diagnosis makes it possible to see a complete picture of the vessels, veins and capillaries in the organ, their condition, integrity, blood flow velocity and evaluate other vital criteria. List of indications for CT-angiography:
- aneurysms (dilations) and stenosis (narrowing) of the arteries;
- blood clots in blood vessels;
- slowing and stopping blood flow;
- abnormalities in the development of blood vessels;
- thrombosis of veins on the legs;
- abnormalities in the lymphatic system.
Using a contrast agent inserted into the venous network, it will be seen on the computer monitor how it was distributed across the surveyed site. Any deviations and violations can be considered with the utmost precision and therefore this method is very informative, especially in critical situations. The procedure lasts about a minute and is performed on an outpatient basis, because it is not traumatic. That is, after it the patient is not hospitalized, but goes home.
CT angiography of cerebral vessels
The life of the human body is coordinated by a single center - the brain. As elsewhere, there are numerous arteries and veins that must work together. Any violation in their activities leads to disastrous consequences. To find out the cause of the disease, the patient is guided by angiography of the brain, which provides a chance to accurately find the cause of the disorder and to prescribe the right treatment, and in some cases to help in the operation. The doctor will suggest this procedure for such symptoms:
- severe headache ( migraine ) and dizziness;
- sudden epileptic seizures;
- loss of coordination of movements;
- High blood pressure and ringing in the ears;
- cloudy vision and the doubling of objects;
- amnesia (loss of memory);
- incongruous speech.
Direct indications for the survey will be:
- stroke;
- brain tumor;
- intracranial bleeding;
- head trauma;
- inflammatory processes in the brain (meningitis, encephalitis);
- thrombosis and narrowing of the arteries of the brain.
CT angiography of the vessels of the neck
In direct interaction with the brain there are vessels of the neck, which are responsible for the inflow and outflow of blood. To determine the cause of poor health, angiography of the neck vessels or CT angiography of the brachiocephalic arteries may be prescribed as a general examination for the two regions at once. This is done under such conditions:
- noise and ringing in the ears;
- weakness;
- numbness of limbs;
- dizziness and headache;
- inadequate reaction to what is happening;
- sudden problems with speech.
CT angiography is performed with such already diagnosed diseases to clarify the diagnosis and choice of treatment methods:
- narrowing and blockage of the cervical vessels;
- thrombosis of arteries and veins;
- swelling in the neck;
- trauma to the neck with damage to the vasculature;
- expansion in the field of carotid arteries;
- kinking-syndrome (convoluted blood vessels).
CT angiography of the vessels of the lower extremities
To visualize the circulatory system in the diagnosis of the disease, CT angiography of the lower extremities was increasingly being performed. This procedure gives a chance at the earliest stages to identify the diseases through a thorough study of 2D and 3D images taken by a scanner. Here are some problems that can be an indication for the purpose of this study:
- varicose leg disease;
- thrombophlebitis of vessels;
- arterial thromboembolism;
- incorrectly developed vessels.
If the patient has such symptoms, then according to the indications, CT angiography is performed:
- pain in the legs at rest;
- syndrome of intermittent claudication;
- swelling of the legs;
- ulcers on the lower limbs.
CT angiography of the abdominal cavity
To detect vascular pathologies in the abdominal cavity and thrombosis of the main artery, delivering blood throughout the body, CT angiography of the aorta is performed using a contrast iodine-containing substance. After the procedure, a so-called reconstruction is performed on a computer monitor, which in a voluminous form makes it possible to see the whole blood network of the peritoneum. For the procedure there are such indications:
- increased pain in the chest;
- tumors affecting the aorta and other vessels;
- congenital abortion of the abdominal cavity;
- peripheral artery disease;
- trauma to the aorta.
CT angiography of the heart vessels
Cardiology has always been a very complex, difficult branch of medicine - it is not so easy to treat the "motor" of a person who is experiencing enormous loads every day. Due to the fact that CT coronary artery angiography or coronary angiography has been conducted, it has become much easier for doctors to diagnose serious diseases, even at the earliest stages. Thanks to modern diagnostics, the success of saving a large number of lives. This examination is prescribed when:
- unclear pains in the heart;
- a possible anomaly of the structure of the aorta;
- the need for vascular testing, narrowing or expansion;
- implicit suspicion of appendicitis.
CT angiography of the lungs
At various pulmonary pathologies there is a possibility of high-precision diagnostics by means of a method KT-angiography of vessels. This examination is performed using a low dose of X-ray irradiation, which positively affects the general condition of the patient. Perform computed tomography of pulmonary vessels with:
- suspected lung cancer;
- long-term smoking at the age of over 55;
- possible tuberculosis;
- pneumonia.
CT angiography of kidney vessels
Angiography of the renal arteries or renal angiography is a fairly common method of diagnosis in the modern world. Unfortunately, it is not possible to conduct such a survey in a normal polyclinic, and therefore this paid service will have to be addressed to a private clinic equipped with the latest equipment. Diagnosis is prescribed when:
- atherosclerosis ;
- in the postoperative period and in preparation for the operation;
- abnormal location of the renal arteries.
CT angiography of the liver
When ultrasound or computed tomography does not detect liver disease (oncology), the doctor recommends liver angiography as a very effective and informative method. Indications for this survey will be:
- abdominal and liver injury;
- suspected cirrhosis;
- a liver tumor or a suspicion of it;
- atherosclerosis of the hepatic vessels.
How to prepare for angiography?
Although the procedure is not a surgical intervention, it still requires careful preparation for angiography before it is performed. The doctor who prepares the patient for examination, finds out all the diseases that are in the anamnesis, because some of them can cause a non-admission to angiography. Because the contrast material contains iodine, an allergic reaction may occur. To avoid this, additional allergens are performed, and if necessary, a course of antihistamines is prescribed. 4 hours before the test, food is not allowed.
How is angiography performed?
Regardless of what type of diagnosis will be used - CT angiography of the brain, heart, kidneys or limbs, the algorithm of the medical practitioners is practically the same. It looks like this:
- The patient is not placed a special mobile tomograph table.
- On the ulnar fold, a catheter is installed to which a special device is connected - an injector for feeding the solution into the contrast organism.
- After that, the medical staff moves to another room and further talks with the patient are conducted through the speakerphone.
- The substance is injected into the vein at a certain rate. Everything happens automatically. The patient can feel heat, in rare cases, nausea, which is normal.
- The table with the patient is slowly immersed in the chamber where the radiator of X-rays is located, which starts to rotate around the investigated area, sending a signal to the computer.
- During the procedure, the patient is recommended to hold his breath for a while for accurate diagnosis, since even the slightest movement can lubricate the picture.
- In total, the patient spends no more than 30 seconds in the cell and does not experience painful sensations.
Contraindications to angiography
In some cases, this high-precision diagnosis is not possible. For example, angiography of the blood vessels of the heart can be canceled because of the unstable work of the organ and the inability to localize a strong tachycardia, which prevents the fixation of violations in the heart muscle. In addition, this examination is not prescribed when:
- pregnancy or suspected of it;
- renal failure;
- allergies to iodine, seafood or high susceptibility to any medication;
- diabetes;
- thyroid disease;
- heart failure.