Cerebral angiography: a preliminary report

ABSTRACT

(1) A short outline of the history and development of cerebral angiography in relation to other radiodiagnostic procedures is given(2) Its main indications and contra-indications are pointed out. Given preference in suspected cerebro-vascular pathology (cerebral aneurysms, arterio-venous fistulas, vascular tumors and malformations, etc.), it serves as a supplementary method to pneumographic studies in cerebral tumors and other conditions, where it often gives additional information concerning localization, pathologic type of tumor, and blood supply(3) Cerebral angiographic anatomy and physiology are briefly recalled(4) Radiopaque materials are discussed. Disdract, in the same concentration used for routine renal studies, is preferred. The procedure is considered safe(5) The technique of carotid angiography is escribed. The "open" method of injection into the common carotid is used. X-Ray requirements for a complete cerebral angiography demand a series of at least five radiographics taken within eight seconds; a highly satisfactory home-devised and home-made cassette-changer for these rapid exposures is presented(6) Three cases of cerebral angiography are presentedThis preliminary report on cerebral angiography is made, primarily to arouse the interest of the local medical profession in this, to us, new radiodiagnostic procedure. It is a very interesting field, and we believe that there are many cases in the Islands in which the method would be very informative and diagnostic. Its development will certainly go hand in hand with the development of neuro-surgery; but the general practitioner must be made aware of its possibilities, if he is to keep abreast with medical and surgical progress.(Summary)