Cerebral angiography

Cerebral angiography
Intervention
Cerebral angiogram showing a transverse projection of the vertebrobasilar and posterior cerebral circulation.
ICD-9-CM	88.41
MeSH	D002533

Cerebral angiography is a form of angiography which provides images of blood vessels in and around the brain, thereby allowing detection of abnormalities such as arteriovenous malformations and aneurysms. It was pioneered in 1927 by the Portuguese physician Egas Moniz at the University of Lisbon, who also helped develop thorotrast for use in the procedure.^[1]

Typically a catheter is inserted into a large artery (such as the femoral artery) and threaded through the circulatory system to the carotid artery, where a contrast agent is injected. A series of radiographs is taken as the contrast agent spreads through the brain's arterial system, then a second series as it reaches the venous system.

For some applications^{[citation needed]} this method may yield better images than less invasive methods such as computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance angiography. In addition, cerebral angiography allows certain treatments to be performed immediately, based on the its findings. If, for example, the images reveal an aneurysm, metal coils may be introduced through the catheter already in place and maneuvered to the site of aneurysm; over time these coils encourage formation of connective tissue at the site, strengthening the vessel walls.

In some jurisdictions, cerebral angiography is required to confirm brain death.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Angiography

References

1. ^ Tondreau, R. (1985) Egas Moniz 1874-1955. Radiographics, 5(6):994-997