Angiography Techniques — MCQs
Among the following arteries, which is dissected most frequently during angiography performed via the femoral route?
Complications of sling procedures (TVT) for USI are all except:
All are the Complication of CVP line except
Penile angiography is reliable only after intracavernosal injection of vasoactive substances. All are indications for penile angiography, EXCEPT:
The procedure of choice for the evaluation of aortic aneurysms is -
Which one of the following is the most preferred route to perform cerebral angiography?
A pregnant woman with head trauma requires a CT scan of the head. What is the most effective radiation protection measure for the fetus?
The procedure of choice for the evaluation of an aneurysm is:
What is the Investigation of Choice (IOC) for Acute Aortic Dissection?
Even conventional radiological procedures are contraindicated in which neurological disease?
Angiography Techniques Indian Medical PG Practice Questions and MCQs
Question 1: Among the following arteries, which is dissected most frequently during angiography performed via the femoral route?
- A. Celiac trunk (Correct Answer)
- B. Inferior mesenteric artery
- C. Gastroduodenal artery
- D. Superior mesenteric artery
Explanation: ***Celiac trunk*** - The **celiac trunk** is the **most frequently dissected artery** during femoral route angiography due to its **challenging anatomical characteristics**. - It arises at a **steep downward angle** (typically 45-90°) from the anterior aorta, requiring significant **catheter manipulation and torque** to engage the orifice. - The acute angulation increases the risk of **subintimal catheter passage** during selective cannulation attempts, leading to iatrogenic dissection. - The need for **repeated attempts** and catheter repositioning when engaging the celiac trunk further elevates dissection risk. *Superior mesenteric artery* - While the **SMA** is frequently cannulated during abdominal angiography, it has a **more favorable anatomy** for catheter engagement. - Its **less acute angle** of origin (typically 30-45° caudally) and more anterior takeoff make it **easier to cannulate** with less manipulation. - Easier cannulation translates to **lower dissection risk** compared to the celiac trunk, despite being commonly studied. *Inferior mesenteric artery* - The **IMA** is a smaller vessel with lower flow, originating from the lower abdominal aorta. - It is **less frequently cannulated** in routine angiography due to its small caliber and distal location. - Lower frequency of selective cannulation means fewer opportunities for dissection. *Gastroduodenal artery* - The **GDA** is a **secondary branch** arising from the hepatic artery (itself a celiac trunk branch). - Due to its **distal location** and smaller size, selective GDA catheterization is uncommon in routine angiography. - Its infrequent selective cannulation makes dissection during femoral angiography extremely rare.
Question 2: Complications of sling procedures (TVT) for USI are all except:
- A. Obturator nerve injury is about 10% (Correct Answer)
- B. Overactive bladder in about 7% cases
- C. Injury to bladder and wound haematoma
- D. Sling erosion particularly with polytetrafluoroethylene (Goretex)
Explanation: ***Obturator nerve injury is about 10%*** ✓ **CORRECT ANSWER (NOT a complication of TVT)** - **Obturator nerve injury** is exceedingly rare during **TVT (Tension-free Vaginal Tape)** procedures, which use a retropubic approach through the space of Retzius. - This complication is primarily associated with **TOT (Trans-Obturator Tape)** procedures where the tape passes near the obturator foramen, not with standard retropubic TVT. - The incidence of obturator nerve injury in TVT is essentially negligible (<0.1%), nowhere near 10%. *Overactive bladder in about 7% cases* - **De novo overactive bladder (OAB)** symptoms or worsening of pre-existing OAB can occur in 3-15% of patients after TVT procedures, with 7% being a commonly cited figure. - This occurs due to changes in bladder neck support, urethral kinking, or irritation from the sling material. *Injury to bladder and wound haematoma* - **Bladder injury/perforation** occurs in 2-5% of TVT cases due to the retropubic passage of needles close to the bladder, which is why intraoperative cystoscopy is routinely performed. - **Wound hematoma** can occur at the vaginal or suprapubic incision sites as a common surgical complication from tissue dissection and bleeding. *Sling erosion particularly with polytetrafluoroethylene (Goretex)* - **Sling erosion** into the vagina or urethra is a documented complication of synthetic slings, with rates of 0.5-3% for modern materials. - **Polytetrafluoroethylene (Goretex)**, an older first-generation mesh material, was associated with significantly higher rates of erosion (up to 10%) and infection compared to modern monofilament polypropylene meshes, which is why it has been largely discontinued for sling procedures.
Question 3: All are the Complication of CVP line except
- A. Haemothorax
- B. Airway injury (Correct Answer)
- C. Air embolism
- D. Septicemia
Explanation: ***Airway injury*** - While central venous catheterization can cause various complications, direct **airway injury** (e.g., tracheal puncture) is extremely rare and not a typical complication of the procedure itself as the insertion sites are generally not near the major airways. - Complications usually involve vascular, pleural, or infectious issues rather than direct damage to the respiratory tree. *Haemothorax* - **Haemothorax** can occur if the subclavian or internal jugular vein is punctured and the needle or catheter inadvertently punctures an adjacent artery (e.g., subclavian artery), leading to bleeding into the pleural space. - This complication presents with respiratory distress and signs of hypovolemia as blood accumulates in the thoracic cavity. *Air embolism* - **Air embolism** is a serious complication, especially during insertion or removal of a CVP line, if the catheter lumen is exposed to air and negative intrathoracic pressure sucks air into the venous system. - It can lead to sudden cardiorespiratory collapse and is a recognized risk of CVP placement. *Septicemia* - **Septicemia** (or central line-associated bloodstream infection, CLABSI) is a common and serious complication, particularly with prolonged catheter dwelling times, poor aseptic technique, or inadequate site care. - Bacteria can colonize the catheter surface and enter the bloodstream, leading to systemic infection.
Question 4: Penile angiography is reliable only after intracavernosal injection of vasoactive substances. All are indications for penile angiography, EXCEPT:
- A. Arteriovenous malformation
- B. Painful priapism (Correct Answer)
- C. Peyronie's disease
- D. Erectile dysfunction
Explanation: ***Painful priapism*** - Penile angiography is generally **contraindicated** in painful priapism because the condition is an **emergency** requiring immediate intervention to restore blood flow and prevent irreversible cavernosal damage. - The goal in priapism is detumescence, not vascular mapping, and angiography could delay necessary treatment, potentially worsening outcomes. *Peyronie's disease* - Angiography can be used in select cases of Peyronie's disease to evaluate the **vascularity of plaques** or to identify associated vascular abnormalities that may contribute to erectile dysfunction alongside the curvature. - It helps in surgical planning, especially when considering **penile revascularization procedures** if vascular insufficiency is suspected. *Erectile dysfunction* - Penile angiography is a useful diagnostic tool for identifying the cause of certain types of **erectile dysfunction**, particularly those suspected to have a vascular origin like **arterial insufficiency** or **venous leak**. - It helps map the penile vasculature, providing precise anatomical information for potential **revascularization surgery** in carefully selected patients. *Arteriovenous malformation* - Angiography is the **gold standard** for diagnosing and characterizing **arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)** in the penis. - It provides detailed information on the feeding arteries and draining veins, which is crucial for planning **embolization** or **surgical resection** to treat the AVM.
Question 5: The procedure of choice for the evaluation of aortic aneurysms is -
- A. Computed tomography (Correct Answer)
- B. Magnetic resonance imaging
- C. Arteriography
- D. Ultrasonography
Explanation: ***Computed tomography*** - **Computed tomography (CT)** offers excellent spatial resolution and is the gold standard for diagnosing, staging, and pre-operative planning for aortic aneurysms. - It precisely measures aneurysm size, detects mural thrombus, assesses rupture risk, and evaluates the extent of involvement with surrounding structures. *Ultrasonography* - While useful for initial screening and serial monitoring of known abdominal aortic aneurysms due to its non-invasiveness and cost-effectiveness, its accuracy can be limited by **patient body habitus** and **bowel gas**. - It may not reliably visualize the entire aorta or accurately assess complex anatomy and rupture. *Magnetic resonance imaging* - **Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)** provides detailed anatomical information and avoids radiation exposure, but it is typically more expensive and time-consuming than CT. - It is often reserved for patients with **renal insufficiency** where iodinated contrast is a concern or when evaluating specific tissue characteristics not well seen on CT. *Arteriography* - **Arteriography** (angiography) is an invasive procedure involving direct contrast injection, carrying risks such as arterial injury and nephrotoxicity. - While it can visualize the aortic lumen, it primarily shows the patent lumen and may **underestimate the true aneurysm size** due to mural thrombus. It is typically used for intervention planning or specific contexts rather than initial diagnosis.
Question 6: Which one of the following is the most preferred route to perform cerebral angiography?
- A. Direct carotid puncture
- B. Transaxillary route
- C. Transfemoral route (Correct Answer)
- D. Transbrachial route
Explanation: **Transfemoral route (Correct Answer)** - The **transfemoral** route is the **most preferred** and widely used method for cerebral angiography due to its **safety**, ease of access, and lower complication rates. - It allows for the safe cannulation of **cerebral vessels** using a catheter inserted into the **femoral artery** and advanced up to the aortic arch. - This is the **gold standard approach** (Seldinger technique) for diagnostic and interventional cerebral angiography. *Direct carotid puncture (Incorrect)* - This method is more invasive and carries a higher risk of complications, such as **hematoma**, **stroke**, or **carotid artery dissection**. - It is typically reserved for cases where other routes are inaccessible or when very specific and localized imaging is required. - Largely of **historical significance** now that safer endovascular techniques are available. *Transaxillary route (Incorrect)* - The **transaxillary** route is an alternative but carries a higher risk of complications like **brachial plexus injury** and **bleeding** compared to the transfemoral approach. - It may be considered when the femoral access is not feasible, for example, in patients with severe peripheral vascular disease affecting the femoral arteries. *Transbrachial route (Incorrect)* - The **transbrachial** (or **transradial**) route is also an alternative but is generally less preferred due to the risk of **radial or brachial artery spasm** or damage, and it can be technically more challenging. - This route is typically avoided if possible, especially when the transfemoral route is readily available and safe. - May be considered in patients with severe aortoiliac disease or morbid obesity.
Question 7: A pregnant woman with head trauma requires a CT scan of the head. What is the most effective radiation protection measure for the fetus?
- A. Using MRI instead
- B. Lead apron over abdomen
- C. Avoid CT, rely on clinical assessment
- D. Reduced mA and kVp (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Reduced mA and kVp*** - **Optimizing scan parameters** (reducing mA and kVp) is the most effective way to minimize radiation dose during head CT in pregnancy. - Modern CT scanners with **iterative reconstruction** allow significant dose reduction without compromising diagnostic image quality. - The fetal dose from head CT is already negligible (< 0.01 mGy), but dose optimization further reduces any potential risk. - This directly addresses the radiation source rather than attempting to shield scatter radiation. *Lead apron over abdomen* - Lead shielding provides **minimal to no benefit** during head CT as the fetus is far from the primary beam. - Scatter radiation reaching the pelvis from head CT is negligible. - Lead aprons can interfere with **automatic exposure control (AEC)**, potentially increasing rather than decreasing dose. - Modern radiology guidelines (ACR, ICRP) no longer routinely recommend gonadal shielding for most CT examinations. *CT not recommended* - Withholding indicated imaging in trauma is **inappropriate and potentially dangerous**. - The diagnostic benefit of head CT in trauma far outweighs the negligible fetal risk. - **Maternal well-being** is the priority, and missing a critical head injury poses greater risk to both mother and fetus. *Using MRI instead* - While MRI has no ionizing radiation, it is **not appropriate for acute trauma** evaluation. - MRI takes longer to perform, requires patient cooperation, and is less readily available in emergency settings. - CT remains the **gold standard** for acute head trauma assessment.
Question 8: The procedure of choice for the evaluation of an aneurysm is:
- A. Computed tomography (Correct Answer)
- B. Ultrasonography
- C. Magnetic resonance imaging
- D. Angiography
Explanation: ***Computed tomography*** **Computed tomography (CT)**, particularly **CT angiography (CTA)**, is widely considered the procedure of choice for evaluating aneurysms due to its **rapid acquisition**, **high spatial resolution**, and ability to visualize the vessel lumen and surrounding structures. **Key advantages:** - Particularly useful for assessing aneurysm size, morphology, thrombus formation, and rupture - Excellent for both emergent and elective settings - Widely available and fast imaging acquisition - Provides comprehensive anatomical detail *Ultrasonography* **Ultrasonography** is an excellent and cost-effective **screening tool for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA)** because it is non-invasive and does not involve radiation. However, its utility is limited for: - Complex aneurysms requiring detailed anatomical information - Less accessible locations (e.g., thoracic, cerebral aneurysms) - **Operator dependence** and **limited field of view** restrict its use as a definitive diagnostic tool *Magnetic resonance imaging* **Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)** and **magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)** provide excellent soft tissue contrast without ionizing radiation and can accurately evaluate aneurysm morphology and flow characteristics. However, MRI is: - More time-consuming and expensive - May be contraindicated in patients with metallic implants or claustrophobia - Less suitable for initial acute evaluation compared to CT *Angiography* **Angiography**, traditionally a catheter-based invasive procedure, provides detailed images of the vessel lumen and is excellent for evaluating precise anatomy and planning endovascular repair. While it offers highly detailed images, its: - Invasiveness - Exposure to radiation and contrast agents - Potential for complications These factors typically reserve it for **interventional planning** or when non-invasive methods are inconclusive, rather than as the primary diagnostic tool.
Question 9: What is the Investigation of Choice (IOC) for Acute Aortic Dissection?
- A. USG
- B. Doppler
- C. CT-Angio (Correct Answer)
- D. MR-Angio
Explanation: ***CT-angio*** - **Computed tomography angiography (CTA)** is considered the **gold standard** imaging modality for diagnosing acute aortic dissection due to its rapid acquisition, wide availability, and excellent visualization of the aorta and its branches. - It precisely demonstrates the **intimal flap**, true and false lumens, and assesses the extent of the dissection and involvement of major branch vessels. *Usg* - **Ultrasound (USG)**, specifically **transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)**, is highly sensitive and specific for proximal aortic dissections. - However, its utility is operator-dependent and it has limitations in visualizing the entire aorta, especially the distal descending aorta. *Doppler* - **Doppler ultrasound** is used to assess blood flow velocity and patterns within vessels. - While it can detect flow disturbances, it is not the primary imaging modality for diagnosing the anatomical extent and characteristics of an aortic dissection flap. *Mr-Angio* - **Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)** provides excellent soft tissue contrast, no radiation exposure, and detailed anatomical information for aortic dissection. - However, it is often less accessible, time-consuming, and contraindicated in patients with certain metallic implants or claustrophobia, making it less ideal for an acute emergency setting compared to CTA.
Question 10: Even conventional radiological procedures are contraindicated in which neurological disease?
- A. Cockayne Syndrome
- B. Gorlin Syndrome
- C. Ataxia telangiectasia (Correct Answer)
- D. All of the options
Explanation: ***Ataxia telangiectasia*** - Patients with **ataxia telangiectasia** have a defect in the **ATM gene**, leading to extreme sensitivity to **ionizing radiation**, making conventional radiological procedures unsafe. - This increased radiosensitivity can result in severe adverse reactions, including increased risk of **malignancy** and neurological damage if exposed to routine diagnostic radiation. *Cockayne Syndrome* - **Cockayne Syndrome** is characterized by a defect in **DNA repair**, specifically **transcription-coupled repair**, leading to pronounced sun sensitivity and premature aging. - While these patients are sensitive to UV radiation, they do not have the profound hypersensitivity to **ionizing radiation** that contraindicates conventional X-ray imaging, distinguishing them from ataxia telangiectasia. *Gorlin Syndrome* - **Gorlin Syndrome** (Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome) is associated with an increased risk of developing various cancers, including **basal cell carcinomas**, and is linked to the **PTCH1 gene**. - Although individuals with Gorlin Syndrome have an increased lifetime risk of developing tumors with **ionizing radiation exposure**, it does not typically contraindicate conventional diagnostic imaging, unlike the extreme radiosensitivity seen in ataxia telangiectasia. *All of the options* - This option is incorrect because while Cockayne Syndrome and Gorlin Syndrome involve heightened cancer risks or sensitivities, only **ataxia telangiectasia** presents a direct and severe contraindication to conventional radiological procedures due to extreme **radiosensitivity**.
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