Question

A patient is scheduled to undergo cerebral angiography. What is the purpose of this diagnostic test?

a) To evaluate liver function
b) To assess bone density
c) To visualize blood vessels in the brain
d) To measure lung capacity

Answer 1

The purpose of cerebral angiography is to visualize blood vessels in the brain, often to detect cancer, assess its spread, and evaluate brain abnormalities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of cerebral angiography is c) To visualize blood vessels in the brain. This diagnostic test helps in identifying and evaluating various conditions such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, stenosis, or occlusions. Additionally, it is used to detect cancer, determine the amount of cancer spread, and assess the effectiveness of treatment plans. Moreover, it's beneficial in evaluating brain abnormalities like tumors and memory disorders, which plays a critical role in mapping brain function. Although not directly used to determine blood flow to the heart muscle or evaluate the effects of a heart attack, angiography can provide crucial information about the vascular system, potentially impacting treatment decisions for heart-related conditions.