Cerebral angiography

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Cerebral angiogram showing a transverse projection of the vertebrobasilar and posterior cerebral circulation.

Cerebral angiography is a form of angiography which provising images of the blood vessels of the brain, thereby allowing detection abnormalities such as arteriovenous malformations and aneurysms. The technique was pioneered by Egas Moniz in 1927.

Typically a catheter is inserted into a large artery (such as the femoral artery) and threaded through the circulatory system to the cartoid 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 visual representation 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 countries, cerebral angiography is required to confirm brain death.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Angiography