CT AORTOGRAM THORAX & ABDOMEN

A CT Aortogram Thorax & Abdomen is a specialized and highly detailed diagnostic imaging scan. Its primary purpose is to provide a comprehensive view of the aorta—the largest artery in your body—as it passes through your chest (thorax) and abdomen. At Cadabams Diagnostics, we perform this test as a minimally invasive procedure that combines the power of a state-of-the-art CT scanner with an intravenous (IV) contrast dye to make your blood vessels clearly visible. This allows our radiologists to detect and assess a range of critical conditions with exceptional accuracy.

What is a CT Aortogram Thorax & Abdomen?

To understand this test, it helps to break down the name. It is a combination of two advanced medical imaging technologies:

• CT (Computed Tomography): This technology uses a series of X-ray beams from different angles to create cross-sectional, slice-like images of your body. A computer then processes these images to generate a complete and detailed picture of your internal organs, bones, and tissues.
• Angiography: This part of the procedure involves using a special contrast dye, which is injected into your bloodstream. The dye makes your blood vessels, particularly the aorta, appear bright white on the CT images, allowing them to be distinguished from surrounding structures.

When combined, a CT Aortogram Thorax & Abdomen produces incredibly detailed, three-dimensional images of the entire aorta, its walls, and all the major arteries that branch off from it. This allows for precise evaluation of its size, shape, and health.

Types of CT Aortogram Thorax & Abdomen

This specific test is almost exclusively performed with the use of IV contrast dye. Without the dye, the aorta and its branches would not be visible with the clarity needed for a reliable diagnosis.

The scan can be performed for two primary purposes:

1. Initial Diagnosis: To definitively identify a suspected aortic condition for the first time.
2. Follow-up Monitoring: To track the size, growth, or changes in a previously diagnosed condition, such as an aortic aneurysm, to determine if and when intervention is needed.

During the evaluation of your scan, our expert radiologists meticulously analyze the images, looking for specific parameters that indicate the health of your aorta. These include:

• Aortic Diameter & Size: Measuring the width of the aorta in various locations to check for abnormal widening or aneurysms.
• Presence of an Intimal Flap: Looking for the thin membrane that separates the true and false channels within the aorta, which is the key sign of an aortic dissection.
• Plaque Buildup / Stenosis: Identifying areas of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or significant narrowing that could restrict blood flow.
• Evidence of Vessel Rupture or Bleeding: Searching for signs of an aortic leak or rupture, such as blood outside the vessel.
• Anatomy of Branching Arteries: Assessing the health and patency of major arteries that branch off the aorta to supply blood to the kidneys, intestines, and legs.

There are several critical clinical reasons why your doctor would order this scan:

• To investigate acute symptoms like sudden, severe, and tearing pain in the chest, back, or abdomen.
• To monitor the size and growth of a previously diagnosed condition with a CT scan for aortic aneurysm.
• To urgently diagnose a suspected CTA for aortic dissection, which is a life-threatening medical emergency requiring immediate diagnosis.
• For pre-operative planning before aortic surgery, allowing surgeons to have a detailed roadmap of your specific anatomy.
• To evaluate congenital (present at birth) abnormalities of the aorta.
• To assess for traumatic injury to the aorta after a severe accident.

When and Who Needs to Take a CT Aortogram Thorax & Abdomen?

Your doctor may recommend this scan if they suspect a condition affecting your aorta. The most common reasons include:

• Suspected Aortic Aneurysm: An abnormal bulge or swelling in the wall of the aorta.
• Suspected Aortic Dissection: A serious condition where a tear occurs in the inner layer of the aorta's wall.
• Suspected Blockages or Narrowing (Stenosis): Caused by the buildup of plaque (atherosclerosis).

This test is often recommended for individuals with specific risk factors or symptoms, including:

• Those with a family history of aortic disease.
• Patients with connective tissue disorders that can weaken the aorta, such as Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
• Patients experiencing symptoms like sudden, severe, tearing pain in the chest, back, or abdomen, which can be a sign of a medical emergency.
• Individuals involved in high-impact trauma, such as a car accident.

Benefits of Taking the Test

The benefits of undergoing a CT Aortogram Thorax & Abdomen are significant, especially when dealing with potentially life-threatening conditions.

• Speed and Accuracy: It is one of the fastest and most accurate methods for diagnosing dangerous aortic conditions.
• Detailed Information: The test provides comprehensive 3D anatomical detail that is invaluable for making treatment decisions and planning surgical or endovascular interventions.
• Non-Invasive: Apart from the IV line, the procedure is non-invasive and does not require surgery to visualize the aorta.
• Peace of Mind: The high accuracy of the scan can help confidently rule out serious conditions, providing reassurance to both you and your doctor.

Illnesses Diagnosed with CT Aortogram Thorax & Abdomen

This powerful diagnostic tool can identify a wide range of aortic and vascular diseases, including:

• Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA): An aneurysm in the chest portion of the aorta.
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): An aneurysm in the abdominal portion of the aorta.
• Aortic Dissection (Type A and B): The tear in the inner lining of the aorta. A CTA is the gold standard for diagnosis.
• Atherosclerosis / Aortic Stenosis: Hardening and narrowing of the aorta.
• Aortitis: Inflammation of the aortic wall, often due to autoimmune disease or infection.
• Traumatic Aortic Injury: Damage to the aorta resulting from physical trauma.
• Penetrating Aortic Ulcer: An ulceration that burrows into the wall of the aorta.

Proper CT aortogram preparation is essential for ensuring the safety and quality of your scan. Please follow these guidelines carefully.

Diet

You will typically be instructed to fast and not eat any solid foods for 4 to 6 hours before your scheduled appointment.

Hydration

We encourage you to drink clear fluids (like water, clear broth, or black tea/coffee) before your scan. Staying well-hydrated helps your kidneys process and flush the contrast dye from your system after the procedure.

Medication

Please inform our staff at Cadabams Diagnostics of all medications you are currently taking. It is especially important to let us know if you are taking Metformin (Glucophage) for diabetes, as you may be advised to pause it for a short period around the time of your scan. Do not stop any medication unless specifically instructed by your doctor or our team.

Pre-requisites

• A referral from your physician is required to undergo the scan.
• A recent blood test to check your kidney function (specifically Creatinine and eGFR levels) is mandatory before you can receive the IV contrast dye.

Best Time to Take the CT Aortogram

• Scheduled Appointment: For non-emergency monitoring or investigation, the scan is performed at a scheduled time that is convenient for you.
• Emergency: In an emergency situation, such as a suspected aortic dissection, the test is performed immediately, 24/7, as time is critical.

Eligibility

The scan is suitable for most adults. However, there are some contraindications:

• Pregnancy: The test is generally avoided during pregnancy due to radiation. It is only performed if the potential benefit to the mother's health is determined to far outweigh the potential risk to the fetus.
• Severe Allergy: Patients with a known severe, anaphylactic reaction to iodine or contrast dye are not eligible.
• Severe Kidney Failure: Patients with severely compromised kidney function may not be able to safely undergo a scan with contrast.

Procedure for Taking a CT Aortogram (Thoracoabdominal aorta CT angiography procedure)

Understanding the thoracoabdominal aorta CT angiography procedure can help you feel more comfortable on the day of your test. Here is a step-by-step guide to what you can expect at Cadabams Diagnostics:

1. Arrival & Prep: You will check in at our reception, where our staff will confirm your identity and appointment details. You will then be asked to change into a hospital gown.
2. IV Line Placement: A trained technologist will gently place a small intravenous (IV) catheter into a vein in your arm or hand. This is used to administer the contrast dye during the scan.
3. Positioning: You will be asked to lie down on your back on the padded CT scanner table. The technologist will ensure you are comfortable. The table will then gently slide into the large, ring-shaped opening of the CT scanner (the gantry).
4. Contrast Injection: As the scan begins, the contrast dye will be injected through your IV line. When this happens, it is very common to experience a warm sensation spreading through your body, a metallic taste in your mouth, or a feeling that you need to urinate. Please know that these sensations are completely normal, expected, and will pass within a minute or two.
5. The Scan: The technologist will speak to you through an intercom system from the control room. They will instruct you to hold your breath for short periods (usually 10-15 seconds) while the machine takes the images. It is very important to remain as still as possible during this time.
6. Duration: The entire time you are on the scanner table is usually only about 10-15 minutes. The actual image acquisition is very fast.

Caution Before Taking the Test

For your safety, it is absolutely essential that you inform the technologist before your scan if:

• You are, or think you might be, pregnant.
• You have any allergies, especially to iodine, shellfish, or have had a previous reaction to CT contrast dye.
• You have a history of kidney disease, kidney failure, or diabetes.
• You are taking any medications, particularly Metformin.