Aortography: Understanding the Technique and Its Applications in Radiology

Aortography is a medical procedure that involves injecting a contrast agent into the aorta to visualize the blood vessels and diagnose vascular conditions. The term "aortographic" refers to the use of this technique to create images or diagrams of the aorta and its branches.

In the context of radiology, aortography is used to evaluate the aorta and its branches for various conditions such as aneurysms, dissections, stenosis, and other vascular abnormalities. The procedure typically involves inserting a catheter into the femoral artery and advancing it through the aortic arch to inject the contrast agent into the aorta.

Aortographic images can be obtained using various imaging modalities such as conventional angiography, digital subtraction angiography (DSA), or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). These images can help diagnose a range of vascular conditions and guide treatment decisions, such as the need for surgical repair or stenting.