Hey Everyone -
Would appreciate some additional insight/answers to my remaining questions.
Dr Constantino ordered a CTA (this will be my first).
I tried to ask the lady that called to let me know this was approved but she didn’t know.
Is the CTA similar to a venogram?
I was told by Dr Constantino that my Soft Tissue Head and neck with contrast I had in June of 2023 was not good and the tech had bad images…my nuero agreed.
So QUESTION: will my CTA image study also show the tissue and C-spine similar to what the original study showed? Or is this truly just showing the blood vessels only in your neck?
I am trying to limit multiple scans, as it’s been a nightmare lately getting insurance approvals.
Much thanks,
Rachelle
I had a CTA with contrast head and neck ordered by a neurovascular surgeon in the neutral position.
You can see examples of what it showed here along with what it looked like after putting it through the Radiant App. Just keep scrolling down
I’m afraid I’m more confused now - they didn’t mention a catherization. Also, still not sure if the CTA will show the bones in my neck like a CT did? Is the CTA basically a CT with contrast plus some?
I had a CTA of head and neck was the name they told me. No catheter. Stuck IV contrast in my arm. Surgeon saw me right after the imaging.
Here is what it says on report. I had asked for 3d and they had to send it out
"Reason For Exam
(CTA Head/Neck WO/W IV Contrast) elongated styloid process, assess for Eagles syndrome
TECHNIQUE: CTA imaging of the head and neck was obtained pre and post
IV contrast. Routine protocol was utilized. Coronal and sagittal
reformats were obtained. 3-D MIP and/or volume rendered
reconstruction was performed and images were saved to PACS. This
facility uses radiation dose reduction techniques including at least
one of the following: automated exposure control, dose modulation,
and/or iterative reconstruction.
45 ml of Isovue-370 (iopamidol) were administered"
that is the imaging that was used for all the pics on that thread EXCEPT where I notated I was including the CT orbital scan so that people could see how that looked.
@rachelle116 - a CTA is a CT scan w/ iodine based contrast given via IV in your arm. It will show the bones in your neck in the area of the scan plus the vascular tissues. It’s taken in the arterial phase of blood flow. It can be done dynamically i.e. with your head in different positions so if you have certain positions that make your symptoms worse, it’s wise to request the scan be done w/ your head in those positions.
A CTA is far less invasive than an angiogram/venogram which involves a catheter being inserted into your groin area & then run up through a vein/artery (whichever is being viewed…I had both done in one appointment) to view the area(s) in question. It’s done in a hospital sometimes under general anesthesia & sometimes awake. It does involve contrast (iodine based, I think) & an x-ray type scan. The pressure gradients which can demonstrate areas of compression in the veins/arteries viewed are taken as the catheter moves along its course.
Perfectly explained as always - what would I do without you…and this channel. I’ll keep you all posted @Isaiah_40_31
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