MSCT-angiography of the vessels

1 What is used during the examination by this method

The study is carried out using a modified tomograph. In this case, the patient is injected with a substance that reflects the X-rays coming out of the unit well. A catheter is installed for intravenous infusion, and no further manipulation is required. This advantageously distinguishes MSCT from classical selective angiography( it is also carried out using X-rays).

In case of MSCT, the patient is examined in a relatively short period of time. The received information is processed by the computer and displayed on the doctor's monitor. This provides a good opportunity to assess the overall state of a vessel, its channel, to know the thickness of the canal walls, to reveal the features of its structure and to find pathological changes that can lead to the development of the disease.

2 When the

study is assigned Most often, doctors use tomographic studies using CT and X-ray reflective substances for angiography on the aorta. In this case, not only the aorta itself is examined, but also its visceral branches. This allows time to identify pathology, for example, areas where the narrowing of the diameter of the vessel in the peritoneal or thoracic region began. This can arise because of the development of atherosclerotic phenomena.

With this method of examining the patient, doctors easily identify places where the various vessels have been squeezed by tumor formation or blockage of lumens in the blood channels due to a thrombus.

Obtained data is often a guide for doctors when it is necessary to use a particular tactic of surgery.

Another case of this type of CT angiography is the diagnosis of vessels on the patient's brain. This method allows you to thoroughly study the cerebral circulation in humans. At the same time, data on the state of venous and arterial vessels, which are located in the deep structures of the brain, are recorded.

The equipment allows to detect narrowing on these channels, transferring blood, to determine the site of blockage of one or group of vessels, to identify places where strokes are possible. CT angiography makes it possible to find an internal hematoma in the skull, to reveal an aneurysm and other dangerous pathologies.

This technique makes it possible to study intracranial vessels much better than it can be done by using a different ultrasound equipment for examination of the brain.

This is due to the fact that ultrasonic waves are partially screened by the bones of the skull, so it is not always possible to obtain correct data by ultrasound.

3 Contraindications to the use of CT-angiography

This method can not be used if intravenous X-ray contrast agent( usually iodine compounds) is prevented by such factors:

1. The patient showed serum creatinine greater than 1.5 mg / dl when tested.
2. If a person has a serious allergic reaction to drugs containing iodine, or a history of this problem has already been noted.
3. The patient is diagnosed with severe bronchial asthma.
4. Preliminary diagnosis showed the patient the presence of hyperthyroidism.
5. If you plan to treat a person in the near future with drugs containing radioactive isotopes of iodine.

4 When it is possible to diagnose

This method is recommended for the study of cerebral vessels in the following cases:

1. Identification of various malformations and aneurysms.
2. If a patient has an ischemic stroke, doctors use CT angiography to determine occlusion levels in the inner vessels of the brain, and identify blood flow paths. The equipment can help control the effectiveness of thrombolysis.
3. CT angiography can help to identify thrombosis in the veins of the brain.
4. If the patient is supposed to have a meningioma, then with the help of the described equipment one can evaluate the sinuses of the hard shell of the brain.

For examination of arteries in the cervical region of a person, the indications are:

1. Examination for the exclusion of significant stenosis.
2. Arterial lesions on the neck with atherosclerosis.
3. Detection of looping or tortuosity in the arteries, which leads to the development of stenosis.
4. Possible suspicions of abnormal development of the vessels of the neck or aneurysm in these arteries.

MSCT is used for research in the field of aortography with such indications:

1. If doctors suspect the possibility of wall separation, the presence of an aneurysm, abnormal development of the examined aorta in the patient.
2. If there is a suspicion of the appearance of stenosis, an abnormal development of the celiac trunk or on its branches. MSCT is used to locate an aneurysm and to detect anomalies in the development of the hepatic and mesenteric arteries.
3. The equipment can check the condition of prosthetic arteries installed on the arteries and the patency of the stents on the vessels.

MSCT can be used to examine arteries on the legs according to the following indications:

1. If doctors suspect a patient of stenosis, development of occlusions on the femoral and iliac arteries or on the vessels of the lower leg.
2. For the control of blood flow through the stents and examination of their condition.

The method described above for the study of blood vessels in different organs of man allows us to notice in time pathological changes in the arteries and take appropriate measures to prevent further complications.