CT BRAIN & ANGIOGRAPHY

A CT Brain Angiography is a vital diagnostic imaging test that provides your doctor with a clear, detailed look at the blood vessels in your brain and neck. It is a minimally invasive procedure that combines the advanced technology of a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner with a special contrast agent. This combination allows radiologists to create high-resolution, three-dimensional images of your arteries and veins, helping them identify abnormalities that might not be visible on a standard CT scan. At Cadabams Diagnostics, we utilize this powerful tool to provide rapid and accurate diagnoses, particularly in urgent situations like a suspected stroke or brain aneurysm.

What is a CT Brain Angiography?

A CT Brain Angiography, sometimes referred to by its medical name, Cerebral CT Angiography, works by using specialized X-ray equipment. The CT scanner rotates around your head, taking numerous cross-sectional pictures, or "slices," from various angles. A computer then processes these images to construct a complete and detailed view of your brain's anatomy.

What makes this test an "angiography" is the use of an iodine-based contrast material. This contrast dye is injected into a vein in your arm and travels through your bloodstream. As it reaches your brain, it temporarily makes the arteries and veins appear bright white on the CT images. This clear highlighting allows the radiologist to precisely map out your cerebral circulation and spot any potential problems with blood flow.

Types of CT Brain Angiography

The vast majority of these scans are performed as a CT brain angiography with contrast. The contrast dye is essential for highlighting the blood vessels, which is the primary purpose of the test. Without it, the arteries and veins would not be clearly visible.

In some clinical situations, especially in emergencies, your scan may involve two phases. First, a non-contrast CT of the head is performed to quickly check for any bleeding. This is immediately followed by the CT Brain Angiography with contrast to evaluate the blood vessels. This comprehensive approach ensures your medical team gets all the information they need for a complete diagnosis.

During the analysis of your scan, our expert radiologists meticulously examine the blood vessels for any signs of disease or abnormality. The key parameters they consider include:

• Aneurysms: This is one of the most critical findings. An aneurysm is a weak, bulging, or ballooning spot on the wall of an artery. A CTA brain for aneurysm is specifically designed to detect these with high accuracy.
• Stenosis or Occlusion: Stenosis refers to the narrowing of a blood vessel, which can restrict blood flow. Occlusion is a complete blockage. Both can lead to an ischemic stroke.
• Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs): These are abnormal, tangled connections between arteries and veins that can disrupt normal circulation and pose a risk of bleeding.
• Arteriovenous Fistulas: An abnormal direct connection between an artery and a vein.
• Vasculitis: Inflammation of the blood vessel walls, which can cause them to narrow or weaken.
• Vessel Dissection: A tear in the inner layer of an artery wall, which can lead to a stroke or aneurysm formation.

Your physician has a specific reason for ordering this test, usually based on your symptoms or medical history. A detailed list of reasons includes:

• Investigating a sudden and severe headache.
• Diagnosing the cause of stroke-like symptoms, such as weakness, speech difficulty, or confusion.
• Evaluating patients with unexplained seizures.
• Assessing vascular anatomy before brain surgery.
• Monitoring known aneurysms or AVMs.
• Following up after a head injury to rule out vascular trauma like a dissection.
• Investigating severe dizziness or vertigo that may be linked to blood flow issues in the neck or back of the brain.

When and Who Needs to Take a CT Brain Angiography?

Your doctor may recommend a CT Brain Angiography if you are experiencing symptoms that suggest a problem with the blood vessels in your brain. The most common indications include:

• Sudden, severe headache: Often described as "the worst headache of your life," which can be a sign of a ruptured aneurysm.
• Symptoms of a stroke: Such as sudden facial drooping, numbness or weakness in an arm or leg, or difficulty speaking.
• Unexplained dizziness, vertigo, or loss of balance.
• Following a significant head injury or trauma to assess for vascular damage.

This test is often ordered for individuals with a personal or family history of brain aneurysms or other vascular diseases. It is a critical tool for both emergency diagnosis and for proactive screening in high-risk patients.

Benefits of Taking the Test

The CT Brain Angiography offers numerous advantages for both patients and doctors:

• Speed and Accuracy: It provides exceptionally detailed images quickly, which is crucial in emergencies where time is critical.
• Minimally Invasive: Compared to a traditional catheter angiogram (which involves inserting a catheter into an artery in the groin), a CTA is much less invasive, requiring only a simple IV line in the arm.
• Comprehensive Evaluation: It visualizes bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels all in a single examination.
• Aids in Treatment Planning: The detailed 3D images help surgeons and interventional radiologists plan precise treatments, such as aneurysm coiling or stenting.
• Peace of Mind: For patients with concerning symptoms, a normal scan can provide significant reassurance.

Diseases Found Out Using CT Brain & Angiography

This powerful diagnostic tool is instrumental in identifying several serious and potentially life-threatening conditions, including:

• Brain Aneurysms
• Ischemic Stroke (caused by blockage) and Hemorrhagic Stroke (caused by bleeding)
• Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) and Fistulas
• Carotid Artery Stenosis or Dissection (in the neck vessels leading to the brain)
• Cerebral Vasculitis
• Tumors that are highly vascular

Proper preparation helps ensure the safety and quality of your scan. Please follow these instructions carefully:

• Fasting: You will likely be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4-6 hours before your appointment. This helps prevent nausea, which can be a rare side effect of the contrast dye.
• Clothing: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown. Avoid wearing clothing with metal zippers, snaps, or buttons, as well as jewelry and hairpins, as metal can interfere with the images.
• Medications: You can generally take your regular medications with a small sip of water. However, if you take Metformin (Glucophage) for diabetes, you must inform our staff. Your doctor will provide specific instructions on when to stop and restart this medication.

Pre-requisites

• Doctor's Referral: A CT Brain Angiography must be prescribed by a qualified physician. Please bring your doctor's referral or prescription with you.
• Kidney Function Test: For patients over 60, or those with a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease, a recent blood test for kidney function (Serum Creatinine) is typically required prior to the scan.

Best Time to Take the CT Brain Angiography

For non-urgent cases, the test can be scheduled at your convenience during our regular operating hours. However, a CT Brain Angiography is often an emergency procedure. Cadabams Diagnostics offers this service 24/7 to ensure that patients with acute symptoms like those of a stroke receive the immediate care they need.

Eligibility

Most adults can safely undergo a CT Brain Angiography. However, there are some contraindications:

• Known severe allergy to iodine or contrast material.
• Severe kidney failure.
• Pregnancy. Please inform your doctor and our technologist if you are or think you might be pregnant.

Procedure for Taking a CT Brain Angiography

Understanding the steps of the CT angiogram of head procedure can help you feel more comfortable and prepared.

• Step 1: Check-in & Preparation: When you arrive, our staff will confirm your details, review your medical history and allergies, and answer any last-minute questions. You may be asked to change into a gown.
• Step 2: IV Line Placement: A certified technologist or nurse will gently insert a small intravenous (IV) catheter into a vein in your hand or arm. This is used to administer the contrast dye.
• Step 3: Positioning: You will be asked to lie down on the padded scanner table. The technologist will position you comfortably, usually on your back with your head resting in a special cradle to help you stay still. The table will then slowly slide into the center of the large, donut-shaped CT machine.
• Step 4: Contrast Injection: As the scan begins, the contrast material will be injected through your IV line. It is very common to experience a temporary warm or flushing sensation throughout your body. Some people also notice a metallic taste in their mouth. These feelings are normal and pass within a minute or two.
• Step 5: The Scan: The scanner will rotate around your head, capturing the images. The technologist will speak to you through an intercom from an adjacent control room. You will be asked to hold very still and may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds. The actual scanning process is incredibly fast, often taking less than 30 seconds to complete.

After the scan, the IV line will be removed, and you will be monitored for a short period before being discharged. You can typically resume your normal activities immediately.

Caution Before Taking the Test

For your safety, it is absolutely vital that you inform the scheduling staff and the technologist about any of the following:

• If you are or might be pregnant.
• If you have any known allergies, especially to iodine, shellfish, or a previous X-ray contrast dye.
• If you have a history of kidney problems, kidney failure, or diabetes.
• If you are currently taking Metformin (or any medication containing it).