Brain Catheterizatio

Cerebral angiography uses a catheter, x-ray imaging guidance and an injection of contrast material to examine blood vessels in the brain for abnormalities such as aneurysms and disease such as atherosclerosis (plaque). The use of a catheter makes it possible to combine diagnosis and treatment in a single procedure. Cerebral angiography produces very detailed, clear and accurate pictures of blood vessels in the brain and may eliminate the need for surgery.

Physicians use the procedure to detect or confirm abnormalities within the blood vessels in the brain, including:

an aneurysm, a bulge or sac that develops in an artery due to weakness of the arterial wall.
atherosclerosis, a narrowing of the arteries.
arteriovenous malformation, a tangle of dilated blood vessels that disrupts normal blood flow in the brain.
vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels, generally narrowing them.
a brain tumor.
a blood clot.
a tear in the wall of an artery, known as a vascular dissection.
a stroke.
A cerebral angiogram may be performed:

to evaluate arteries of the head and neck before surgery.
to provide additional information on abnormalities seen on MRI or CT of the head, such as the blood supply to a tumor.
to prepare for other medical treatment, such as in the surgical removal of a tumor.
in preparation for minimally invasive treatment of a vessel abnormality.
The procedure may also be used to help diagnose the cause of symptoms, such as: