anuerysm : Aneurysm Medical Tests & Diagnosis

Conditions & Diseases: Cardiovascular System

Aneurysm

Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods/Tools

Detection of aneurysms are only chance detections and symptomatic. However, one or more of the following diagnostic procedures and methods are used to evaluate and diagnose aneurysms:

1. X-rays: An X-ray provides a picture of the organs and structures inside the chest or brain or leg including the blood vessels, thus resulting in detection of the affected portion.

2. Ultrasound: In this non-invasive test, sound waves are used to create a picture of the inside of the body. An ultrasound can be repeated to detect the rapid growth of an aneurysm.

3. Computed Tomography Scan (CT Scan): In this method, a computer generated x-ray image of internal organs can help in detecting an aneurysm. A CT scan image is used to determine the size and shape of an abdominal aneurysm more accurately than an ultrasound image.

4. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI studies are used to create accurate images of aneurysms determining their exact size and location.

5. Angiography: A special dye is injected into the blood stream to help show up the inside of arteries on x-ray pictures thus showing the amount of damage and blockage in blood vessels.

6. Aortogram: An angiogram of aorta is called Aortogram. An aortogram helps in detecting the location and size of aortic aneurysm and arteries of the aorta involved.

7. Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid: A small amount of cerebrospinal fluid is collected for analysis from the subarachnoid space (i.e., the space between spinal cord and the membranes surrounding it) with the help of a surgical needle after administering local anesthesia. Traces of blood in the cerebrospinal fluid indicate bleeding or brain hemorrhage.

8. Echocardiography: The procedure of using ultrasound waves to visualize structures inside the heart is known as echocardiography (1), (6) & (7).

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com