c.t.a scan

[andreas2142]

Hi there was wondering if you could help,i was recently given a c.t.a scan(don't think normal c.t scan was performed)as i was having bouts of extreme dizziness and vertigo attacks as well as a resolving horner's syndrome.The neurologist was concerned about possible artery dissection,the results came back all clear but horrible symptoms continue.I also had an mri scan performed last year for different reason my question is if something serious like an embolic stroke or bleed into the brain had happened would c.t.a have picked this up(i also had fairly strong reaction to contrast dye with extreme body flushing and few heart palpitations that passed.

[marsher]

A related discussion, Feet was started.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

CTA or CT angiography is a CT scan with contrast that highlights the brain blood vessels. Usually a regular CT scan is obtained in the same set of images. The quality of the scan depends on the technology of the scanner and how modern it is. The latest CTA scanners (termed 'multislice') are very good at picking up abnormal blood vessels, narrowings (including most dissections
) or aneurysms. It is does not give great information about the substance of the brain itself (not more than a regular CT scan) which an MRI gives.
Its possible that the CTA was not sensitive enought to pick up a small dissection that may have been picked up by a conventional angiogram.
Its also possible that your symptoms (dizziness and vertigo) have a cause other than stroke. If you are in the area, the Cleveland Clinic Dizziness Center (Drs. Oas and Cherian) could help pinpoint the cause of the dizziness

[andreas2142]

just as a further question would a c.t.a scan be likely to pick up possible aneurysms

[stephermb]

Have you had an MRA? I have been having problems with vertigo, etc and they did an MRA with the MRI - that WILL detect everything you are interested in.

What were the results of your MRI?