Cerebral angiography
Encyclopedia
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 malformation
s and aneurysm
s.
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.
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 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
.
Arteriovenous malformation
Arteriovenous malformation or AVM is an abnormal connection between veins and arteries, usually congenital. This pathology is widely known because of its occurrence in the central nervous system, but can appear in any location. An arteriovenous malformation is a vascular anomaly. It is a...
s and aneurysm
Aneurysm
An aneurysm or aneurism is a localized, blood-filled balloon-like bulge in the wall of a blood vessel. Aneurysms can commonly occur in arteries at the base of the brain and an aortic aneurysm occurs in the main artery carrying blood from the left ventricle of the heart...
s.
It was pioneered in 1927 by the Portuguese physician Egas Moniz
Egas Moniz
António Caetano de Abreu Freire Egas Moniz , known as Egas Moniz , was a Portuguese neurologist and the developer of cerebral angiography...
at the University of Lisbon, who also helped develop thorotrast
Thorotrast
Thorotrast is a suspension containing particles of the radioactive compound thorium dioxide, ThO2, used as a contrast medium in X-ray diagnostics in the 1930s and 40s ....
for use in the procedure.
Typically a catheter
Catheter
In medicine, a catheter is a tube that can be inserted into a body cavity, duct, or vessel. Catheters thereby allow drainage, administration of fluids or gases, or access by surgical instruments. The process of inserting a catheter is catheterization...
is inserted into a large artery (such as the femoral artery
Femoral artery
The femoral artery is a general term comprising a few large arteries in the thigh. They begin at the inguinal ligament and end just above the knee at adductor canal or Hunter's canal traversing the extent of the femur bone....
) and threaded through the circulatory system to the carotid artery
Common carotid artery
In human anatomy, the common carotid artery is an artery that supplies the head and neck with oxygenated blood; it divides in the neck to form the external and internal carotid arteries. - Structure :...
, 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 this method may yield better images than less invasive methods such as computed tomography angiography
Computed tomography angiography
Computed tomography angiography is a computed tomography technique used to visualize arterial and venous vessels throughout the body. This ranges from arteries serving the brain to those bringing blood to the lungs, kidneys, arms and legs.-Technique:...
and magnetic resonance angiography
Magnetic Resonance Angiography
Magnetic resonance angiography is a group of techniques based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging to image blood vessels. Magnetic resonance angiography is used to generate images of the arteries in order to evaluate them for stenosis , occlusion or aneurysms...
.
In addition, cerebral angiography allows certain treatments to be performed immediately, based on the its findings.
If, for example, the images reveal an aneurysm
Aneurysm
An aneurysm or aneurism is a localized, blood-filled balloon-like bulge in the wall of a blood vessel. Aneurysms can commonly occur in arteries at the base of the brain and an aortic aneurysm occurs in the main artery carrying blood from the left ventricle of the heart...
, 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
Connective tissue
"Connective tissue" is a fibrous tissue. It is one of the four traditional classes of tissues . Connective Tissue is found throughout the body.In fact the whole framework of the skeleton and the different specialized connective tissues from the crown of the head to the toes determine the form of...
at the site, strengthening the vessel walls.
In some jurisdictions, cerebral angiography is required to confirm brain death
Brain death
Brain death is the irreversible end of all brain activity due to total necrosis of the cerebral neurons following loss of brain oxygenation. It should not be confused with a persistent vegetative state...
.