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Detection Methods
An aneurysm is often diagnosed using a variety of imaging equipment. Whether someone was brought to the hospital unconscious from a rupture or is waiting to undergo treatment for an unruptured aneurysm, similar detection methods are used to pinpoint the location, size, type, and any other characteristics of the aneurysm that will help the doctors make the best decisions about how to move forward.
CT Scan (Computed Tomography)
This scan takes a picture of your brain. It is a fast and painless test, which requires you to lie on your back, very still, while you are pushed into a large, tubular machine that creates the images. This test shows whether any blood has leaked around or into the brain.
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CTA (Computed Tomographic Angiography)
In some cases, doctors may choose to do a CT angiography. This test combines a regular CT scan with a contrast dye injected into a vein. Once the dye is injected into a vein, it travels to the brain arteries, and images are created using a CT scan. These images are more enhanced, because it will show exactly how fluid (blood or dye) is flowing into your brain arteries, alerting doctors to a potential aneurysm or rupture.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
An MRI is a safe, painless diagnostic scan that examines various areas of your body, in this case, your head. Through the use of a large doughnut-shaped magnet and a computer, magnetic signals are seen through a computer as radio waves. The computer is able to transform these radio waves into images. An MRI helps locate the aneurysm.
MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography)
This scan combines a regular MRI with the contrast dye, which is injected into a major vein. Like the CTA, this dye travels to the brain arteries, and images are created using an MRI. This creates a more enhanced image
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Angiogram (Arteriogram)
This test allows doctors to see the size, shape, and location of the aneurysm, as well as reveal any bleeding or vasospasm. A small incision is made on one side, or both sides, of your groin after it is locally numbed and prepped. Then, a thin tube (catheter) is threaded through arteries from the groin to the neck. A contrast dye is injected and travels to the brain arteries, X-rays are taken, showing all your arteries and any abnormalities, such as an aneurysm. There are risks involved, which will be explained to you and/or your family prior to the procedure.
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