CT scans are used to detect and monitor many types of diseases. CT Angiograms are a specific type of CT scan that uses dye injected a high rate to evaluate the arteries of your body. Carotid CT Angiograms evaluate the vessels of the neck to look for aneurysms, vascular tumors, narrowing and blockage of the vessels of the neck, among others.
This CT scan uses special software to create realistic 3D images and gives the Radiologist interpreting the test the ability to look inside the vessels.
CT angiograms of the carotids are typically ordered for the evaluation of stroke to detect blockages and narrowing of the arteries in the neck caused by plaque that ultimately supply the brain. Symptoms related to stroke include:
- weakness
- sudden speech difficulties
- confusion, erratic behavior
- vertigo, dizziness
- pain, tingling
- numbness
CT Angiograms can diagnose:
Plaque - CT Angiograms of the carotids can detect soft and hard plaque deposits that overtime narrow the opening of the vessel leading to reduced blood flow to the brain. Some plaque can abruptly "tear" off sending bits of plaque into the brain, blocking small vessels. Sometimes these tiny blockages can be completely unnoticed and other times cause the symptoms of stroke. In some cases the vessel can narrow to a point and cause a rushing sound in the neck called a "bruit." The sound is blood trying to get through the narrow opening.
Dissection - This refers to a tear in the wall of the vessel. Think of it as a tear of the inner lining of the sleeve of a jacket. If you filled the inner lining of your jacket with down it would block the real opening for your arm. In the artery the blood goes into the opening of the tear of the dissection, expands the false channel, potentially blocking the flow of blood to the brain and resulting in stroke like symptoms.
Aneurysms and Vascular Tumors
- Aneurysms are ballooning of the vessels that can either disturb normal blood flow or by their shape and size press on nearby tissues and cause related symptoms such as neck pain, pressure, nerve blockage, etc. Vascular tumors may be picked as the vessels that feed them are large enough to be seen on a CT angiogram.
A CT Angiogram of the Carotids will evaluate:
Internal Carotid Arteries
The carotid vessels arise from the aorta in the chest and travel up the neck along both sides. The vessels splits in the neck with the "internal" segments feeding roughly the front 2/3 of brain tissue. The "external" segments feed the face and parts of the scalp and skull.
Vertebral and Basilar Arteries
The basilar artery is made up by two vertebral arteries which arise from vessels in the chest and travel up along both sides of the neck near the spine. This vessel feeds the brain stem and approximately the back 1/3 of the brain.
Aortic Arch
This is the large vessel which arises from your heart. The top of the vessel has three large arteries which supply blood to the arms, upper chest, neck and brain.
Neck soft tissues
Parts of the soft tissues of the neck are seen in a CT angiogram of the carotids. Occasionally large tumors, inflammation or other findings can be picked up.
Your CT Angiogram of the Carotids:
This CT scan generally takes about 15 minutes or so to set up and complete. This test is always done with IV MRI contrast. Keep in mind that the dye is injected at a much higher rate than a standard CT. Therefore a larger IV is used for this test. Many patients feel sudden flashes of heat and a metallic taste in their mouth. You may also feel sudden warmth in your bladder.
If you're insured, you may need to have your test authorized (approved) by your insurance company first. If you're uninsured and need to look up prices and buy an CT Angiogram of the carotids, you can use our website to look up CT Angiogram costs and then purchase with your credit card.
Have you had a Carotid CT Angiogram scan? What was it like? Please leave your comments below.