Ct angiogram of intracranial vessels
Common Questions and Answers about Ct angiogram of intracranial vessels
angiogram
When I originally had my MRV is showed narrowing of vessels on one side. So they scheduled me for an angiogram thinking I may have a blood clot. Well thank God it turns out that I did not and the angiogram was negative of any stenosis or any other findings. Which I assume is a good thing, right. Why would the MRV show one thing and the angiogram show another? Could the increased pressure be what made the vessels appear to be smaller on one side?
It is fast becoming the radiological test of choice to look at disease of blood vessels. The next generation of a ct scan will reduce the individual's radiation exposure.
The ct angiogram involves an assessment of the body of the vessels as well as the lumen. The cath angiogram exams the lumen for hard plaque and any blockage, but the ct angiogram also exams for soft plaque within the body of the vessel.
In general, when an aneurysm is found and the size determined on MRA, sometimes (depending on the quality of the MRA and the appearance of the aneurysm on it) another confirmatory test such as a CT angiogram or cerebral angiogram may need to be done to confirm the presence of the aneurysm, confirm its size, and to exclude the presence of additional aneurysms too small to be seen on MRA.
The CT scan indicates there is substanital soft plaque buildup within the linings of the vessels. A couple of years ago, my total CT score was/is over 1000 and that is supposed to indicate a high probability for a heart event within a year....waiting for the other shoe to drop!...no problems, feel fine.
CT 64 slice scan angiogram will include the anatomy of the vessels, chest, and aorta vessel (ascending, arch and descending). The scan will show any layers of soft plaque outside the lumen, and it is the soft plaque that has a higher risk of rupturing, clotting and causing an MI. The scan and stress test are about equal in determing the plaque within the lumen that may cause ischemia (blocked, partially blocked vessels.
I have had a ct scan angiogram and cath. My ct scan was more inclusive as it took images of the lungs, heart and thorax. It showed the complete anatomy of the heart vessels that included any soft plaque within the lining of the vessel. The ct software scored the soft plaque and evaluated the risk of a rupture. It also discloses any hard plaque within the lumen (vessel channel).
The cath views the lumen for plaque, and has the ability to determine gradient pressures of chambers and vessels..
A diagnosis really can not be made unless certain angiographic findings are demonstrated
It has been proposed that BACNS represents a form of reversible vasoconstriction or spasm (spasm of the muscles in the blood vessels of the brain, leading to their narrowing) rather than true arteritis (inflammation of the artery). On angiogram, the blood vessels are seen to be narrowed and in spasm.
An ekg is not a very good source to dx CAD (occluded vessels), too may false positives, but a follow through with more testing if symptomatic, etc. To go from an ekg to angiogram seems unnecessary based on the information posted. A stress test is a less invasive procedure, and usually shows any occluded vessels. Why is that test avoided?
An angiogram can be with a cath (invasive...
There are angiogram tests that inject a dye substance in the blood stream and the perfusion can be monitored by CT scan, cath, MRI. I had a CT scan a couple of years ago, and the report of the results commented on the blood flow through the implanted stent was as expected. Blood flow through the harvested grafts can be assessed as with any other vessel.
Hope this answers your question. If you have any other questions or comments you are welcome to respond.
If there are blockages, a stent implant (usually done at time of angiogram) will increase the diameter of the occlusion/occlusions permitting more blood to the deficit area. Sometimes the area of blockage can not be stented because of location, tortuous segment, too long, etc...then a bypass surgical operation may be the only remedy.
Alternatively, some people find relief from chest pain with medication.
I saw a new cardiologist at a different hospital and he thinks I should have a CT Angiogram.. A CT Angiogram is a none invasive procedure, it takes 3d pictures of the heart using a ct scane 64 slice method. The scane can pic up blocked blood flow and narrow blood vessels.. But I would like to know witch one of the two is more reliable test.. Considering I had a negative nuclear stress test.. Will the ct angiogram be a more persised test at pinpointing and finding a possible problem..
I'm sorry to hear you're having some difficulty. While you are young, 43 is certainly not out of the window of coronary disease. Your story may just be an anxiety reaction, but given you had an elevated troponin, this signifies you had tissue damage to your heart. This may have been a small heart attack or maybe a certain type of heart attack where your heart has narrowed vessels that then don't provide enough blood flow under conditions of stress.
The CT scan 64 slice is not the state-of-art for CAD detection. The CT scan 256 slice 3D images is very good as the images provide a view as if actually seeing the source. The 3D CCG differs from CT as it measures blood velocity to determine fault that may or may not be due to blockage but another cause. A cath angiogram has the advantage if there is blockage, the blockage can be stented at the time, and it is not painful at all!.
A cath angiogram does not show the risk, but a CT scan 64 slice can/will evaluate the anatomy of vessels for the risk of a heart attack from that source (many more attacks from rupture than occluded vessels).
I am assuming the MI is ischemic (lack of blood flow to the heart). It is estimated about 26% of the heart disorder population have had a silent heart attack and are unaware. I had had a silent heart attack about 5 years ago, and the first symptom was congested heart failure.
Your nearly passing out may indeed be a TIA or a Transient Ischemic Attack. This can be evaluated further by angiogram of the blood vessels supplying the brain, to see which vessel/s are constricted.
It is also important to correct any underlying disorders such high cholesterol, diabetes or hypertension to lessen the possibility of more vessels being affected
Regards.
They did a ton of blood tests, all of which have been normal. She has had an ultrasound of her carotids and heart, all normal. I'm sure there are several other things, but I'm not sure what all the blood tests were for. Needless to say, she has had CT scans, MRI's, MRV's, an angiogram, ultrasounds, blood tests, etc. with no diagnosis. Everything comes back normal except for the obvious, the blood on her brain.
While no definitive aneurysmal dilatation of the intracranial vasculature is evident, there is subtle suggestion of potential fenestration of the M1 segments bilaterally, left slightly more conspicuous than the right. There is no evident hemodynamically significant stenosis or high flow vascular malformation.
The dural venous sinuses demonstrate normal flow-voids. The visualized portions of the orbits, paranasal sinuses, mucosal spaces, and extracalvarial soft tissues are unremarkable as seen.
An angiogram is a procedure that images a contrast agent that passes through the vessels during rest and then with exertion to observe if there is any obstruction. There shouldn't be any risk with a CT scan, and if the procedure is with a cath the risk may be a problem at the entery site (groan) as a diabetic may have some difficuty with the healing process other risks are minimal i.e. rupture, uncontrolled bleeding, etc. Doctors are quickly available if there is a problem.
A specialist injects dye into the arteries, which creates a map of your arteries and the aneurysm on xrays. CT can reveal blood flow in your brain and show aneurysm location. Sometimes a dye may be injected into a vein to highlight blood flow in your arteries and veins, CT angiogram and provide additional detail regarding appearance of brain aneurysm. MRI can create detailed images of your brain and show aneurysm’s location. Hope this helps. Take care.
You had a CT angiogram and included is a separate procedure a calcium score. The CT angiogram views the channel (lumen) of the vessels for any hard plaque buildup that would cause a narrowing of the vessel for blood flow and if serious could cause symptoms of chest pain, etc. Soft plaque resides between the layers of the vessel
To add what others have said.
Recommended
