CT BRAIN & ANGIOGRAPHY

• CT (computed tomography) Brain & Angiography can be simply understood as a painless procedure that involves the use of X-ray along with computer technology to take clearer images of the internal architecture of the brain and its vessels. It is helpful to broaden the understanding of the medical imaging present. 
• Most commonly, this procedure may be utilized in the diagnosis of traumatic brain injury, tumors in the brain, issues related to arteries especially aneurysms or blockages in the arteries. 
• The procedure for undertaking this test may require the patient to fast if a contrast dye is to be used and patients may also need to not take medications that impact blood clotting. 

What is CT Brain & Angiography? 

• Consider CT Brain & Angiography as an imaging procedure that is a cross ’between an angiogram and a CT scan’ as it uses routine CT scans and anangiogram simultaneously, the latter of which is the imaging of blood vessels after injecting a contrast medium into the body. 
• The CT machine or detector captures several orthogonal cuts of the brain and blood vessels’ images, making it possible to piece them together into a 3-dimensional image via a computer. 
• Coupled with a CT Scan, this method aids in determining how the human body has come to put together the history of the internal circulation vessels and the condition they are in now along with the uncertainties of the history.

CT Brain & Angiography: Types 

1. Routine CTA of the Head: Examines the structure of the organ primarily in its traumatic pathologies. 
2. Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA): Focuses on the vascular structures, to verify the presence of stokes or aneurysms. 
3. CT Perfusion Studies: Assesses how much blood reaches the affected area of the brain in case of a stroke. 

• Breadths of brain structures 
• The status of blood vessels, that is, the presence of stenosis or occlusion 
• Whether there is any trace of hemorrhagic or abnormal proliferation in the brain 
• Restrictions on the use of CT imaging protocols in patients with abnormally high neuroticism levels owing to the use of contrast dye agents. 

• Presence of neoplastic growths in the brain 
• Assessment of damage in the brain on account of an occlusive cerebrovascular accident or stroke 
• Determining the cause for patients with neurological disorders that do not appear to have a distinct pathology for example seizures. 
• Determination of the effects of impact on the brain and accompanying conditions such as fractures or interparenchymal hemorrhagic events. 

Benefits of Taking the Test

• A multi cut CT scan proves to be a great diagnostic and follow up tool for brain and vascular diseases especially when breaches of the skin are avoided. 
• It can also assist in recognizing grave conditions including brain tumor or vascular aneurysms that require urgent intervention with its sharp imaging capabilities which might lead to better treatment outcomes. 
• It is fast and rather painless so it is ideal in cases of emergencies. 

Diseases Found Out Using CT Brain & Angiography

• Brain malignancies 
• Ruptured cerebral aneurysms
• Blast-induced trauma to the head and neck regions 
• Vascular malformations of cerebral arteries and veins 
• Cerebral stroke or mini strokes (TIA). 

Patients should be asked to dress lightly and avoid metal parts or jewelry. 

• In some cases, patients may need take a hiatus of fasting for many hours before the procedure especially if the contrast dye is intended to be administered. 

Pre-requisites 

• Concern about iodine or contrast dye allergy 
• Assessment of renal status for clearance of the contrast material. 

Best Time to Take the CT Brain & Angiography 

• Ideally, the test can be carried out at any time, but when there are life-threatening factors, it is most likely carried out in order to make the diagnosis faster. 

Eligibility 

• Appropriate for the individuals who have evidence of the neurological deficits or the vascular problems 
• Case includes of pregnant women but only in cases where the test is extremely necessary, and women with severe allergies to iodine. 

Procedure for Taking a CT Brain & Angiography 

• In cases where angiography is needed, the patient is made to lie supine on the CT couch and the contrast substance is injected intravenously. 
• The table goes in to the CT scanner and radiation crosses the head in a circular pattern to acquire images. 
• It usually takes around 15-30 minutes in performing this technique. 

Caution Before Taking the Test 

• Any existing diseases such as renal disease, allergic conditions, and even pregnancy should be disclosed by patients to their doctor. 
• If the patient has had any previous allergies to iodine or contrast dye, it should be documented.