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Intermediate Technical IVT

Cerebral Angiography

Also written as: DSA — Digital Subtraction Angiography

Invasive imaging procedure using contrast agent injection to visualize cerebral blood vessels.

Full Definition

Cerebral Angiography, also known as digital subtraction angiography (DSA), is the gold standard invasive imaging technique for evaluating cerebrovascular anatomy and pathology. The procedure involves selective catheterization of cerebral arteries with injection of iodinated contrast material under fluoroscopic guidance. Cerebral angiography provides detailed visualization of arterial and venous phases of cerebral circulation, allowing detection of aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, stenoses, and vascular occlusions. In neurocritical care, it is often used for both diagnostic purposes and therapeutic interventions such as aneurysm coiling or thrombectomy procedures.

Usage

Usage note: Specify selective vessel injections and whether therapeutic intervention was performed.

In Context

  • "Cerebral angiography confirmed the presence of a 6mm anterior communicating artery aneurysm with a wide neck." — Interventional radiology report

Also known as

DSA digital subtraction angiography catheter angiography

Contrasted with

non-invasive angiography

Don't confuse with

CT angiography MR angiography

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