Investigating limb ischemia (summary)

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This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists

Limb ischemia is a relatively uncommon, but potentially limb (and life) threatening situation. There are many potential causes.

Reference article

This is a summary article; we do not have a more in-depth reference article.

Summary

  • questions
    • are symptoms new?
    • does exercise trigger pain?
    • is it bilateral or unilateral?
    • is there rest pain?
  • investigations
    • CT angiogram
      • accurate assessment of vascular supply
      • clear demonstration of vascular anatomy
      • readily available
    • MR angiogram
      • most scanners can perform an MRA
      • some will allow an MRA without contrast
      • subtraction imaging gives a roadmap of disease
    • DSA
      • gold standard
      • contrast injected via catheter directly into vessel
  • making the request
    • know the history and examination findings
    • what is the question?
  • common pathology
Medical student radiology curriculum