I thought I would make a video of my Angiography. You can see how detailed it is and why it is the gold standard for doctors to see its structure. These are just rotation and tumble images, the other studies watch the flow by taking a series of pictures while they first inject the the contrast. BTW I was completely comfortable while they done this procedure. They gave me some happy juice and the only pain I felt was when they removed the tube and placed a plug in the insertion point.
This picture below is similar to the machine they used on me for those images. Angio and CT are both X-ray and should (in my opinion) only be used if necessary because of radiation exposure. As Ben said CT is better at finding bleeding and edema (swelling) + it's cheaper and that is the main reasons why CT is used in the ER as their first step of diagnosis. MRI machines are getting better and better with the quality of images and you don't have the radiation risks you do with CT and X-rays. However MRI machines are much more expensive like Ben said to purchase and run and the take longer.
The "A" in CTA & MRA = (CT + Angio) and (MRI + Angoi)... This is a little confusing because its not like the real angiography we are talking about above. CTA and MRA is where they just inject the contrast into any vain (usually the arm) while they perform a CT or a MRI. The contrast die gets pumped around your body and helps illuminate the blood vessels and AVM's etc were the images are being taken.
With the real Angiography above the contrast die is injected directly into the area in my case the main brain feeding artery (the Jugular) and as it is injected they take multiple still x-rays and watch it flow though the avm to see how it flows and where the main feeders are etc. Then they take multiple x-rays from different angles and those are the images I recorded in sequence to produce that 3D video.
When I find some spare time I will see if I can make the flow video and MRI/A's..
Thanks Brett for sharing this. You did a good job putting this together. I've never seen a 3-D image of mine. I must say, it does look horrible knowing that is what is in your head :( I am glad you had a good experience with the angiogram though. I liked the 'happy juice" too. Ha Ha
Yep I’m looking forward to posting a new one after that sucker is gone. You can ask for a copy of your records disk to see it in 3D provided they use the same rotating equipment. You should be able to run it in your computer… Same with your MRI’s CT’s etc.
Good job, Brett! I have a question about angiograms: Since the ‘entry site’ is in the leg (I’ve heard some entry sites are in the arm, as well) and the contrast dye has to travel throughout all the vessels, would the angiogram show if there was any additional malformed vessels ANYWHERE in the body or are the docs (or the technicians who reads this test, etc.) only interested in viewing the area where the known malformation does/did exist? (I would logically think it would show whether or not there are any additional malformations in ANY area of the body; however, I am not certain if the ‘viewing’/reading is just limited to the ‘known location’ or not.) Anyone know?
Cindy, in theory, the contrast dye could help show an AVM elsewhere in the body, but in order to do so, you’d need to be having your entire body scanned.
Hi Cindy. No they just target the known location. On the top right of the video yo can see the animated table and the X-ray moving around the head location. In some of the images I have you can actually see the tip of the tube in the large vain in my neck. I also wondered why they use the groin and not go in at a closer location. I guess it’s an easy access point.
Yes, the groin is an easy access point because it has some of the largest vessels and a direct route throught the heart. I can only imagine that it also has a lot to do with the recovery process. Would you rather have one of your arms out of commission, or have one of your thighs feeling a bit sore? I know that the juglar is also used in some cases, but it is also dangerous because if it is hard to stop the bleeding, there isn;t a whole lot that can be done.
Okay, let me ask this (for all of us who aren’t certain and would be comforting in some aspect to know prior to the event occurring): Which type of X-ray scan is used (or is better/best to use) in imaging the angiogram… MRI?.. CT?.. or what? (I am aware that MRIs & CTs produce radiation and MRIs are suppose to be safer (in regards to the radiation amount).)
Cindy, The Mri's are more accurate/detailed than what the cat scans are. When performed with contrast, it looks very simlar to an angio. For me, they only did a cat in an emergency to see if the avm was bleeding or not. They told me, that is the quickest way to see if there is any bleeding in the brain - any where. Plus, cat scans are the least expensive of the 3 to do <-- just a little trivia info. :)
Hey Brett, How’s it going? I heard you had you’re 6 month follow-up, have you recieved you’re results as yet? Anxious to find out whether or not the AVM has shrunk at all. Awesome video! Hope to hear from you soon…Dolores
Unfortunately my follow up prescription was lacking clear instructions on where to send the report. They ended up in the wrong department and got lost so I had to resend my records to the correct department and I'm still waiting to hear from them. However after reading the new report myself it clearly states no change from the previous results. So the only news I'm waiting for now is when they would like the next follow up.
Brett… Sorry to hear that no change was the result. I know how i’m hoping that some change will be apparent.Don’t get too Bummed out. Everything in good time…they say. Gotta stay optimistic. How have you been feeling though? No bad side-effects yet? Let me know when you’re next follow-up is. Talk soon …Dolores
