1. Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA)

2. What is CT Angiography? An examination that uses x-rays to visualize blood flow in arterial and venous vessels throughout the body. An examination that uses x-rays to visualize blood flow in arterial and venous vessels throughout the body. Beams of x-rays are passed from a rotating device through the area of interest in the patient’s body from several different angles to create cross-sectional images. Beams of x-rays are passed from a rotating device through the area of interest in the patient’s body from several different angles to create cross-sectional images. Images are assembled by computer into three dimensional pictures. Images are assembled by computer into three dimensional pictures.

4. Common Uses of the Procedure Examine pulmonary arteries in the lungs to r/o pulmonary embolism. Examine pulmonary arteries in the lungs to r/o pulmonary 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.

5. Equipment

6. Specialized x-ray machine. Specialized x-ray machine. It’s opening is about two feet in diameter. It’s opening is about two feet in diameter. Inside frame of the scanner is a rotating device with an x-ray tube mounted on one side and a detector on the other side. Inside frame of the scanner is a rotating device with an x-ray tube mounted on one side and a detector on the other side. Spiral CT Spiral CT Records large number of pictures in a short time. Records large number of pictures in a short time.

7. How does the procedure work? Injection of contrast material Injection of contrast material Automatic injector machine Automatic injector machine X-rays X-rays Detector Detector Powerful computer programs Powerful computer programs

8. Benefits Examines blood vessels Examines blood vessels Anatomical detail Anatomical detail Useful way of screening for arterial disease Useful way of screening for arterial disease Less time consuming Less time consuming Less discomfort Less discomfort

9. Risks Allergic reactions Allergic reactions Kidney disease Kidney disease Severe diabetes Severe diabetes Pregnant Women Pregnant Women

10. Limitations of CTA Fuzzy images Fuzzy images Blocked blood vessels Blocked blood vessels Twisted arteries Twisted arteries

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

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