Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) - Essay Example Further, with the 16-detector row CT (16D-CT), the spatial resolution increased and the contrast medium efficiency improved. Finally, with the 64-detector row CT (64D-CT) scanner, a true isotropic high spatial resolution of the entire volume was possible. Thus, the multi-detector row CT angiography (MDCTA) has developed as an accurate method in assessing the peripheral arteries. Clinical history This is the clinical history of a 70-year old man who presented in the hospital with symptoms of pain in the calf muscle with walking that was relieved with rest. He also gave a history of diabetes and hypertension for the past 25 years. Although he was taking medication for both diabetes and hypertension, it was poorly controlled. Blood analysis revealed an elevated fasting and postprandial sugar values. Physical examination revealed an elevated blood pressure measurement. Examination of the feet revealed distal hair loss, trophic skin changes and hypertrophic nails. There was ulceration in the heel. Social history revealed that he was a chronic smoker for the past 30 years and had a sedentary lifestyle. His physician advised him to undergo a CT angiography and he presented in the radiology department for the same. Pathology Atherosclerosis, which primarily is a systemic inflammatory process, is the most common cause of PAD. Histopathologically, an atherosclerotic lesion is initiated with the appearance of fatty streaks, which initiates an inflammatory process. This promotes the deposition of cholesterol, and finally, plaque buildup (Garcia 2006). Plaque is made up of fat, fibrin, cellular waste products, cholesterol and calcium.