Frequency and Pattern of MRI Diffusion Restrictions after Diagnostic Catheter Neuroangiography.

(1) Background: We investigated the frequency, location, and lesion size of diffusion restrictions (DR) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of asymptomatic patients after diagnostic angiography and assessed risk factors for their occurrence. (2) Methods: We analyzed diffusion-weighted images (DWI) of 344 patients undergoing diagnostic angiographies in a neuroradiologic center. Only asymptomatic patients who received a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination within seven days after the angiography were included. (3) Results: Asymptomatic infarcts on DWI were identified in 17% of the cases after diagnostic angiography. In these 59 patients, a total of 167 lesions were noted. The diameter of the lesions was 1-5 mm in 128 lesions, and 5-10 mm in 39 cases. Dot-shaped diffusion restrictions were found most frequently (n = 163, 97.6%). None of the patients had neurological deficits during or after angiography. Significant correlations were found between the occurrence of lesions and patient age (p < 0.001), history of atherosclerosis (p = 0.014), cerebral infarction (p = 0.026), or coronary heart disease/heart attack (p = 0.027); and the amount of contrast medium used (p = 0.047) and fluoroscopy time (p = 0.033). (4) Conclusions: With an incidence of 17%, we observed a comparatively high risk for asymptomatic cerebral ischemia after diagnostic neuroangiography. Further measures to reduce the risk of silent embolic infarcts and improve the safety of neuroangiography are warranted.

Spectrum of Complications and Complication Rates After Diagnostic Catheter Angiography in Neuroradiology.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the total complication rates and type of complications after diagnostic cerebral and spinal catheter angiography. METHODS: Data from 2340 patients undergoing diagnostic angiography over a period of 10 years in a neuroradiologic center were retrospectively evaluated. Local, systemic, neurological, and technical complications were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 75 clinically noted complications occurred. The risk for clinical complications was increased when the angiography was performed under emergency conditions (p = 0.009). The most common complication was groin hematoma (1.32%). Neurological complications occurred in 0.68% of patients, of which 0.13% were stroke with permanent disability. Technical complications without noticeable clinical symptoms of the patients occurred in 2.35% of the angiographic procedures. Deaths caused by angiography did not occur. CONCLUSION: There is a definite risk for complications after diagnostic angiography. Although a very broad spectrum of complications was considered, complications in the individual subgroups showed a low incidence.