Soft tissues are also picked up by the scan. That information is sent to a computer across the street where Patricia Smith, M.D., Radiology, can examine it in a three-dimensional format and manipulate it vertically, horizontally, and zoom in and out on specific areas. 3-D scanning replaces angiograms, which require the insertion of a catheter into the femoral artery to inject dye into the arterial system. That means a lot more guess work on the part of physicians. The physicians are not the only ones who benefit from this new procedure.
Angiograms require staying in the hospital about seven hours from start to finish.
Even the injection of contrast dye through I.V. is much less invasive than tapping into the femoral artery and has little risk associated with it. For transplant surgeons, 3-D scanning is used primarily for verifying potential kidney donors and examining liver recipients, said Dr. Smith. Almost all potential kidney donors and liver recipients now undergo this procedure, she said. Less Costly, More Effective Hopkins Nurses, National Assn. She said that for liver recipients, physicians use the scan to check for tumors, locate the arterial supply to the liver, and look for any blood clots in the veins.