What does a CTA Neck typically evaluate?

A CTA Neck, or CT Angiography of the neck, is primarily focused on visualizing the blood vessels within the neck, particularly the carotid arteries. This imaging technique is essential in evaluating conditions like carotid dissection, where there is a tear in the inner layer of the artery wall. The CTA provides high-resolution images that help identify abnormalities such as narrowing, occlusion, or displacement of the blood vessel, which are critical for diagnosing carotid dissection.

Other conditions listed, such as pulmonary embolism, cholelithiasis, and cardiac tamponade, involve different anatomical regions or systems. Pulmonary embolism relates to the lungs and blood flow to them, cholelithiasis concerns the gallbladder and digestive system, and cardiac tamponade involves the heart and pericardium. Therefore, while these are important medical conditions to consider, they are not evaluated by a CTA Neck, which focuses specifically on the vascular structures of the neck.