Ct scan

Coronary CTA

A coronary computed tomography angiogram (CTA) is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure used as an alternative to invasive cardiac catheterization to detect plaque within the coronary arteries, which can obstruct blood supply and oxygenation to the heart. The complications of such obstructive plaques include heart attack and sudden cardiac death.

Where do you offer this procedure?

Who is this procedure recommended for?

Currently, there is a strong ongoing debate regarding who this procedure is recommended for. However, there is evolving literature that patients with intermediate likelihood of coronary artery disease do benefit from coronary CT angiography. Your referring physician performs your risk assessment based on your age, gender, family history, high cholesterol level, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. If, based on this risk assessment, you have an intermediate (as opposed to low or high) likelihood of coronary artery disease, you may benefit from coronary CT angiography. Also, several insurance companies approve the coronary CT angiography procedure when other noninvasive tests, such as nuclear stress test or stress echocardiography results are questionable and do not help to either confirm or exclude coronary artery disease.

How is this procedure performed?

During the coronary CTA procedure, an iodine contrast dye is injected into a vein in order to produce clear, accurate images. Through the same IV, if necessary, a medication will be administered to slow or stabilize the heart rate for better imaging results before injection of contrast in the vein. The results are then used to create crisp, motion-free 3D images that can help identify coronary artery disease obstructive plaques.

What are the benefits of this procedure?

A coronary CTA is considerably less invasive than cardiac catheterization. It also takes considerably less time to perform coronary CTA when compared to cardiac catheterization. There is an ongoing debate about the differences in radiation doses received by the patient from coronary CTA and cardiac catheterization. Several institutions, including ours, take various proactive measures such as dose reduction and dose modulation protocols to minimize the amount of radiation received by the patient during the coronary CTA procedure.

Virtual Colonoscopy

CT colonography, also known as “virtual colonoscopy”, is a minimally invasive procedure used to examine the colon for any signs of growths, polyps, cancer or other abnormalities that may indicate a disease of the large intestine (colon). This procedure uses computerized tomography (CT) imaging and computer software to generate high-resolution two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of the colon.

Who is this procedure recommended for and how often?

CT colonography is one of the screening tests recommended by the American Cancer Society for detection of polyps and colon cancer. Beginning at the age of 50, men and women at average risk for developing colon cancer should use one of the screening tests:

flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
colonoscopy every 10 years
CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
double contrast barium enema every 5 years

People at a higher risk for colon cancer, including those with a strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, known family history of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes, personal history of inflammatory bowel disease or personal history of colorectal cancer, should begin screening earlier and/or should be screened more often.

What happens during CT colonography?

During the procedure, a thin tube will be inserted through the anus and into the rectum. Carbon dioxide is then inflated into the tube to expand the intestine for better viewing. The exam table is then moved through the CT scanner to capture cross-sectional images of the large intestine that are later evaluated by the radiologist. Patients are then asked to turn over and go through the scanner once again for another set of images.

What are the benefits of this procedure?

Although it requires a full bowel cleansing similar to that for conventional colonoscopy, the procedure requires no sedation or analgesia and is less invasive than the traditional colonoscopy, as it does not require inserting a tube all the way into the colon. The tube for this procedure is inserted only about two inches into the rectum to inflate the area with air. The traditional colonoscopy may not be able to examine narrowed or constricted intestines, but the CT colonography can evaluate the colon beyond the narrowing by expanding the area. This procedure produces images that are just as clear as the traditional colonoscopy but through a shorter, well-tolerated exam.

CT Angiogram (CTA)

A CT angiogram (CTA) is a minimally invasive procedure that combines intravenous contrast injection with computed tomography to produce detailed images of blood vessels throughout the body by utilizing computer assisted reconstruction and analysis to detect abnormalities of the vessels. Computed tomographic images are obtained rapidly in volumetric fashion while the vessels stand out among the surrounding structure with the help of a contrast material injected into a vein.

Where do you offer this procedure?

Union Square Diagnostic Imaging

Who is this procedure for?

This procedure can be used to examine blood vessels in the brain, lungs, heart, kidneys, neck, legs, abdomen and more, and is often used to detect atherosclerosis, renal disease, aneurysm, injury and other conditions affecting the blood vessels of the body. With the findings obtained from a CTA, doctors may be able to determine the cause of a patient’s symptoms and can plan intricate operations such as a coronary bypass, angioplasty, embolization, placement of vascular stents and also monitor patients’ treatments.

Women who are pregnant should typically not undergo this procedure to prevent potential harm to the fetus.

How should I prepare for this procedure?

On the day of the CT angiogram, patients should wear loose clothing and should remove all metal objects, including jewelry, eyeglasses and hair clips. Hearing aids and other removable objects may need to be removed as well.

Patients should stop eating six hours prior to the exam, but can continue to drink clear liquids in order to protect the organs and allow fluid to travel easily through the blood vessels. It is important to notify your doctor of any recent illnesses or long-term medical conditions before undergoing this procedure.

What happens during the procedure?

Before the procedure begins, an intravenous catheter will be placed on the patient. Then the patient will be placed on the CT examination table and the radiologic technician will prepare the CT machine and the IV contrast injector for the CTA. Once all of the equipment is ready, the patient will be moved through the CT machine while the injector is administering the contrast material into the patient’s vein. During this time, images of the patient’s body are obtained. You may be asked to hold your breath while the images are being taken. The images are then sent to a specialized computer server to be further analyzed. Although the imaging may only take a minute, the entire CT angiogram procedure starting from IV catheter placement to getting off the CT examination table may take 20 to 30 minutes.

What are the benefits of this procedure?

A CT angiogram produces detailed images of the blood vessels that can help detect narrowing and other abnormalities early enough to provide effective treatment, often before surgical intervention is required. CT angiography is less invasive than other types of angiogram procedures and provides more detailed results as well, making it an ideal choice for many patients.

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