Good sources for learning how to interpret CTAs

PMHNP Man, MSN, APRN, NP · Jun 9, 2019

I don't even know what a CTA is...

chare · Jun 9, 2019

8 minutes ago, PMHNP Man said:
I don't even know what a CTA is...

Computed Tomography Angiography

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jun 9, 2019

That's quite a broad scope of organ systems you're trying to learn. As part of the Critical Care team, I depend on our Vascular Neurology colleagues to help me with head and neck CTA's - they are the experts when it comes to those. Cardiac-thoracic-abdominal-and pelvic CTA's are easier to read (in my experience) because the organs are large and the vessels are easier to identify. Are you in a role or specialty where you have to know head all the way down to the pelvis? How about just going down to Radiology and having a Radiologist help you?

AutumnLeaves, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 9, 2019

We do vascular surgery. I can read the organs already, but not always sure of some of the vessels. My doc wants me to read the necks/ cardiac/abdomen and pelvis scans and be able to give an opinion. He never depends on the radiology read. I am just trying to figure out a good way to learn. I suspect it will just take more experience.

TuxnadoDO · Jun 11, 2019

I suspect it would take, like, a residency in radiology to become an expert at reading CTAs.

PMHNP Man, MSN, APRN, NP · Jun 11, 2019

1 hour ago, TuxnadoDO said:
I suspect it would take, like, a residency in radiology to become an expert at reading CTAs.

Would seem that way based on the description.

AutumnLeaves, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 16, 2019

I agree. I think he is asking a lot of me.

Neuro Guy NP, DNP, PhD, APRN · Jun 17, 2019

It's possible. The more exposure you get, the more experienced you'll become. Every single patient, be sure to look at their scan and get to identify the pathology the radiologist identified. Often, they'll state the image and series number where the problem is located. Continue doing this, and you'll become more familiar. Familiarize yourself with common conditions you treat in your specialty and head to radiopaedia.org and compare example scans of the same issues. There are also radiology textbooks you can look at

TuxnadoDO · Jun 17, 2019

15 hours ago, Neuro Guy NP said:
It's possible. The more exposure you get, the more experienced you'll become. Every single patient, be sure to look at their scan and get to identify the pathology the radiologist identified. Often, they'll state the image and series number where the problem is located. Continue doing this, and you'll become more familiar. Familiarize yourself with common conditions you treat in your specialty and head to radiopaedia.org and compare example scans of the same issues. There are also radiology textbooks you can look at

This is great advice for someone who wants to be be able to look at the scans and have an idea of what he or she sees prior to the radiologist's report. I wouldn't recommend that the OP relies on her own read to ultimately make patient care decisions, however.

janee214 · Aug 28, 2019

There is literally an entire profession dedicated to reading imaging. Unless you are specifically trained to read radiographic imaging, I would say this is outside of your scope of practice. Also, is this requirement in your job description?

I am having a similar issue. Trying to figure out how to address it without getting to many panties in a bunch.

Neuro Guy NP, DNP, PhD, APRN · Aug 28, 2019

On 6/17/2019 at 2:06 PM, TuxnadoDO said:
This is great advice for someone who wants to be be able to look at the scans and have an idea of what he or she sees prior to the radiologist's report. I wouldn't recommend that the OP relies on her own read to ultimately make patient care decisions, however.

Not necessarily. Plenty of non radiologists - physicians included - look at CXR for example and make decisions based on it. This is an example of a diagnostic study that even in academic centers is not read until later hours later, and sometimes the next day if performed in the evening.