CT BRAIN & NECK ANGIOGRAPHY

A CT Angiography (CTA) of the Head and Neck is a specialized, advanced medical imaging study designed to provide a clear and detailed view of the blood vessels in your brain, head, and neck. Its primary purpose is to visualize the arteries and veins, helping doctors detect abnormalities that could lead to serious health issues. At Cadabams Diagnostics, we perform this minimally invasive procedure using state-of-the-art CT technology combined with an iodine-based contrast dye, which illuminates the vascular structures for exceptional diagnostic accuracy.

What is a CT Angiography of the Head and Neck?

Simply put, this test combines a standard Computed Tomography (CT) scan with an injection of a special contrast material. This contrast is administered through a vein, typically in your arm. As it travels through your bloodstream, it "lights up" the arteries and veins in your head and neck. The CT scanner then captures hundreds of cross-sectional images, which a powerful computer compiles into highly detailed, three-dimensional visuals of your vascular system.

This differs from a standard CT Brain scan, which primarily focuses on the tissues of the brain itself (like gray and white matter) and is often done without contrast. It also differs from an MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography), which uses magnetic fields and radio waves instead of X-rays to visualize blood vessels. A CTA is often preferred in emergency situations due to its speed and excellent detail. For more information on the base technology, you can learn about our general

Types of CT Angiography

The primary variation in a CT Angiography of the Head and Neck is the specific area of clinical focus. While the overall procedure is similar, your doctor may request the radiologist to pay special attention to certain vessels, such as:

• Cerebral Arteries: Focusing on the blood vessels within the brain to look for aneurysms or blockages causing a stroke.
• Carotid Arteries: Focusing on the major arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain, often to check for stenosis (narrowing).

It's important to note that for this test to be effective, it is almost always performed with contrast material. A non-contrast scan would not provide the necessary detail to evaluate the blood vessels adequately.

Our expert radiologists meticulously examine the images, assessing several key parameters to provide a comprehensive report for your doctor. These include:

• Vessel blockages (occlusions)
• Areas of narrowing (stenosis)
• Abnormal bulges or pouches (aneurysms)
• Abnormal connections between arteries and veins (AVMs or fistulas)
• Tears in the vessel wall (dissections)
• Overall blood flow patterns and any anatomical variations.

This powerful diagnostic tool is ordered for several critical reasons:

• Investigate Symptoms: To find the cause of symptoms like transient ischemic attacks (TIAs or "mini-strokes"), sudden vision changes, or severe headaches.
• Stroke Diagnosis: It serves as a primary tool for ct angiogram for stroke diagnosis, allowing doctors to rapidly identify a blood clot and determine the best course of treatment.
• Surgical Planning: Neurosurgeons and vascular surgeons use CTA images to plan complex procedures like aneurysm clipping, coil embolization, or carotid endarterectomy.
• Monitor Conditions: To track the size of a known aneurysm or monitor the effectiveness of a stent placed in a previously narrowed artery.

When and Who Needs to Take a CT Angiography of the Head and Neck?

A physician may recommend a CT Angiography of the Head and Neck if you have symptoms or a medical history that suggests a potential issue with your blood vessels. Common reasons include:

• Suspected Stroke: To quickly identify a blood clot or bleed in the brain.
• Aneurysm: To detect a weak, bulging spot in a blood vessel wall.
• Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): To find an abnormal tangle of blood vessels.
• Vascular Stenosis: To diagnose the narrowing of an artery, such as in the carotid arteries of the neck.
• Vasculitis: To identify inflammation of the blood vessel walls.

This scan is often ordered for individuals who experience sudden severe headaches ("thunderclap" headaches), unexplained dizziness, stroke-like symptoms (such as sudden weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking), or those with a strong family history of cerebral aneurysms.

Benefits of Taking the Test:

Opting for a CT Angiography of the Head and Neck at Cadabams Diagnostics offers significant advantages:

• Speed and Accuracy: It provides fast, detailed, and highly accurate images of blood vessels, which is critical in emergency scenarios.
• Minimally Invasive: It is far less invasive than a traditional catheter angiogram, which requires inserting a catheter directly into an artery.
• Crucial for Decision-Making: The high-quality 3D images enable confident and rapid clinical decisions, especially in acute stroke care.

Illnesses Diagnosed with CT Brain and Neck Angiography:

A CTA can help diagnose a wide range of vascular conditions affecting the head and neck, including:

• Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke
• Cerebral Aneurysms
• Carotid Artery Disease (Stenosis)
• Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) and Fistulas
• Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels)
• Vessel dissection or injury

Proper preparation is simple but essential for a successful scan.

• Instructions: You may be asked to fast (no food or drink, except clear fluids) for 4-6 hours before your appointment. It is highly recommended to drink plenty of water before and after the scan to help your kidneys process the contrast dye.
• Clothing: Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Avoid clothes with metal zippers, snaps, or buttons in the head and neck area. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown.
• Informing Staff: Be ready to discuss your complete medical history, especially any allergies, kidney problems, or medications you are taking.

Pre-requisites

• A referral or prescription from your doctor is required to schedule the scan.
• You may need to provide results from a recent blood test (Creatinine/eGFR) to confirm your kidney function is adequate for the contrast injection. Our scheduling team will inform you if this is necessary.

Best Time to Take the CT Angiography

• Emergency: In situations like a suspected stroke, the scan is performed immediately upon arrival at the hospital, day or night.
• Scheduled Scans: For non-urgent, scheduled appointments, the scan can be done at any time of day. The most important factor is adhering to the required fasting period before your scheduled time.

Eligibility

Most adults are eligible for a CT Angiography. However, there are important contraindications:

• Severe Contrast Allergy: Patients with a history of a severe, anaphylactic reaction to iodine contrast material.
• Impaired Kidney Function: Patients with severe, chronic kidney disease may not be eligible.
• Pregnancy: If you are or might be pregnant, please inform your doctor and our staff. The test is only performed if the potential benefits clearly outweigh the risks to the fetus.

Procedure for Taking a CT Angiography

Understanding the cerebral ct angiography procedure can help you feel more comfortable. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Preparation: A technologist will confirm your medical history and explain the procedure. An intravenous (IV) line will be placed in a vein in your arm or hand. This feels like a quick pinch.
2. Positioning: You will lie down on a cushioned scanner table, which will be gently moved into the center of the large, circular CT machine.
3. Initial Scans: A few initial scans (without contrast) may be taken to ensure you are positioned correctly.
4. Contrast Injection: The technologist will inject the contrast dye through your IV line using an automated pump. It is common to feel a warm sensation spreading through your body and a temporary metallic taste in your mouth. This is normal and lasts only a minute or two.
5. Final Imaging: The final and most important set of images is captured as the dye flows through the blood vessels of your head and neck. You will be asked to hold very still and may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds.

The entire procedure typically takes about 15 to 30 minutes from start to finish.

Caution Before Taking the Test

For your safety, you MUST inform the technologist before the scan if you:

• Are or think you might be pregnant.
• Are currently breastfeeding.
• Have any allergies, especially to iodine, shellfish, or previous contrast dyes.
• Have any kidney problems or a history of kidney disease.
• Have diabetes and are taking Metformin.