What is A CTA or CT Angiography?

CTA means Computed Tomography Angiography or CT Angiogram. It’s a procedure where X-rays are utilized to provide a detailed image of the heart, including the blood vessels, lungs, kidneys, brain, neck, arms, and legs. A CT Angiography displays the narrowed or the blocked areas of the blood vessels. This kind of test can also show if there is a swelling aneurysm or if there is a buildup of plaque in the blood vessels. CTA or CT Angiography is a painless and non-invasive test that allows high resolution, three-dimensional visualization of the heart, and other adjacent structures. This is a painless test because it is a scan. The CTA is used to detect or identify the weak section of the arteries or veins and to visualize the blood flow. It provides more precise images of the blood vessels than other types of tests such as MRI or ultrasound technology. Why Might You Need to Undergo This Kind of Test? If your doctor indicates that you have an abnormality, which involves your adjacent structures such as the blood vessels of your brain, lungs, kidneys, heart, the CT Angiography provides information for your physician to learn more about your condition. Here are some reasons to choose CT Angiography. They include the following: To find and identify aneurysm, a blood vessel that is bulging and is in danger of rupturing. To see the irregular formation of the blood vessels inside your brain. To identify damaged blood vessels caused by injuries. To find blood vessels that become narrowed because of atherosclerosis, the fatty material that builds-up plaque in the walls of the arteries. To find blood clots that may be formed inside your legs, which can enter your lungs. To evaluate if there is a tumor that is nourished by the blood vessels. What Are the Possible Risks that You Might Encounter for a Computed Tomography Angiography Test? In every test, there is always a slight risk of having a medical event during the procedure. There is always a bit of a risk for cancer due to repeated high exposure of radiation with numerous CTA, CT, or XRAY tests. But the advantages of getting a precise diagnosis generally outweigh the risks. The amount of radiation used during the CTA is minimal. Therefore, the risk of radiation exposure is minimal. Risks include: Allergic Reactions – Always tell your radiologist if you have a history of allergies or an allergy to contrast material. If you have allergies, you may start to take medicine before you take the CTA test. Tissue damage – If there is a large number of contrast materials, it can irritate your skin or your blood vessels and nerves under your skin. Once the test is completed, you will have your IV removed. In most situations, you can go back to your normal activities at home. You could be given some added instructions after the test, depending on your specific situation.

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What is 3D Tomosynthesis Mammography?

Tomosynthesis or 3D mammography is a new kind of digital x-ray mammogram that makes 3D- and 2D-like pictures of the breasts. This tool enhances the ability of mammography to spot early breast cancers and lowers the number of women called back for added tests for findings, which aren’t cancers. Types of Mammography There are two types of mammography which are Full Field Digital Mammography and 3 Dimensional Mammography, but this article will be focusing on 3D Tomosynthesis Mammography. 3D mammography, also known as “Digital Breast Tomosynthesis,” is a recommended process that uses an electronic detector system to produce multiple synthesized images of a thin layer of the breasts. In Tomosynthesis, the x-rays are being transferred into a high-resolution computerized monitor that allows the images to be viewed in a more narrow-angle. It enables the radiologist to examine digital images for comparison by laying one set of breast images over another. Tomosynthesis mammography produces 3-dimensional images of the breast. Usually, the images are composed of different structures such as fat, milk ducts, blood vessels, connective tissues, from various regions in the breast. Tomosynthesis acquires different angles with the help of sophisticated digital x-ray machinery. It also requires a paddle to compress the breast to secure it from unwanted motion. It mitigates the radiation and allows penetrating the breast tissue. When Tomosynthesis is added to digital mammography, it reveals an additional 1 to 2 cancers in every thousand women examined in the previous screening. Another study indicated that 2.5 percent of 1000 women ranging from 40-49 years of age have dense breast. Compared to conventional mammography, three-dimensional Tomosynthesis minimizes the numbers of errors that require additional screening or “callback” from imaging to ensure that there are no abnormalities. This additional screening includes diagnosis with mammographic or ultrasound imaging. It represents that 95% of call back areas are healthy and without overlapping tissue or adverse changes like the occurrence of cysts. All mammograms use x-ray technology, and thick tissues absorb more radiation than fatty ones. Some suspicious breast tumor areas are concealed or hidden by overlapping breast tissue, and a hidden cancer on a 2-dimensional mammography can appear in 3D mammography. Compared to 2D (standard type) mammography, 3D Tomosynthesis shows 50% more cancers present in a woman’s breast and greatly reduces false positives as well. 3D Tomosynthesis is a “gold standard” in breast screening mammography. Always ask your imaging facility if they use 3-D Tomosynthesis. What to Expect from a 3D Tomosynthesis Exam A tomosynthesis exam might be utilized as a screening tool in conjunction with conventional 2D digital mammography. As with a digital mammogram, your radiologist will take images from various angles. During the 3D tomosynthesis part of the exam, the X-ray arm of the mammography machine makes a fast arc over the breast. It will take a set of breast images at several angles. The entire process will take at least the same amount of time as that of a conventional digital mammogram, and the patient experience is very much the same.

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A PET Scan Is Not For Pets; It Is To Track Cancer’s Progression

PET scan, or Positron Emission Tomography, is not for pets or any animals. In some cases, it is done to take images of breast tissue to reveal malignant changes. A PET scan utilizes a tracer to view this activity. The scan can also detect other illnesses or cancers in all areas of the body, before they become more serious. The radioactive drug can be swallowed, inhaled, or injected, depending on the target organ. The tracer circulates to all the parts of the body to detect the area disease. On a PET scan, the infected areas show up in the monitor as white spots. This method is advantageous in evaluating and revealing other condition such as heart disease, brain anomalies, and cancer. The images often come with CT or MRI to produce more detailed images. Uses/Purposes PET is one of the most effective ways to detect internal diseases. The images produced by PET scan offers information that is different from other kinds of screening evaluations.  PET scan that is combined with a CT scan allows your physician to come up with a better diagnosis of the potential disease inside the  body. Cancer Detects cancer cells as bright spots Reveals the severity of the tumor Shows the development of the treatment Evaluates tumor recurrence Aside from the breast area, the following are the types of tumors that can be detected by PET scan: Cervical Esophageal Brain Head Neck Lymphoma Lung Prostate Melanoma Pancreatic Thyroid   Other Conditions PET scans also show the decreased blood flow areas in the heart. It provides information that can help your doctor decide if heart surgery is needed. It can also be used to test different brain anomalies like seizures, Alzheimer’s, and tumors. Risks Pet scan uses a radioactive tracer and is placed inside your body. Too much exposure to radiation can cause harmful side effects. The tracer might do the following: Can cause severe allergies, in rare circumstances Can lead to abortion Can be dangerous to your children during breastfeeding Preparation Talk to your doctor immediately when: Allergies occur after the scan If you’ve been suffering from flu or colds If you’re receiving other treatment and other medical attention If you have babies If you have claustrophobia or fear in narrow places Your physician will give you detailed advice to make sure that you’re prepared before the screening. Some hospitals conduct seminars and counseling before the test. The PET scanner is a large machine, standing upright and operated by a computer and sometimes with a built-in CT scanner. PET is a very important state of the art tool in diagnosing and tracking disease. In terms of accuracy, clarity, and reliability, it is unsurpassed.

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