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Egas Moniz's innovation: How did cerebral angiography change the history of neuromedicine?
In 1927, Portuguese neurologist Egas Moniz created a new medical technology, which is cerebral angiography. This technology has not only brought revolutionary changes to neuromedicine, but has also become an important tool for the diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases. Cerebral angiography uses X-ray technology to present clear images of blood vessels in the brain by injecting contrast media, allowing doctors to detect various abnormalities such as arteriovenous malformations and aneurysms.
The introduction of cerebral angiography has made conditions that were difficult to diagnose in the past become clearly visible and opened up new possibilities for immediate treatment.
The development of cerebral angiography technology is one of the most important achievements in Egas Moniz's life. An appropriate artery is selected for cannulation, the catheter is advanced into the intracranial artery, and contrast medium is injected. As the contrast agent spreads, doctors are able to take a series of X-rays, which not only helps diagnose the disease but also allows for immediate treatment.
This technology is not only used for diagnosis, but also for treatment in the same procedure. For example, after an aneurysm is discovered, a metal coil can be introduced into the aneurysm site through a catheter to promote the formation of tissue connections and effectively strengthen the blood vessel wall. In addition, with the continuous advancement of endovascular treatment technology, cerebral angiography has become more and more widely used and has become a part of diversified treatments.
Since the advent of cerebral angiography, the neuromedical community has witnessed a shift from a mere diagnostic tool to comprehensive treatment options.
The process of cerebral angiography is relatively complicated and requires a detailed medical history and neurological examination to ensure that the patient's physical condition is suitable for the procedure. Before performing angiography, the doctor will carefully review the imaging data and blood parameters to reduce the risk of complications. Depending on the station location, the choice is made between femoral or radial artery cannulation and the appropriate catheter is used to ensure optimal image quality.
It is important to note that some conditions are contraindicated when performing this procedure, such as contrast media allergy, renal insufficiency, and coagulation disorders. These factors can affect patient safety and examination accuracy.
Cerebral angiography allows doctors to look for signs of various intracranial and extracranial diseases, including stroke, cerebral artery stenosis and other problems.
Although computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are already in clinical use, the resolution of vessel diameter and vessel structure provided by cerebral angiography is still unmatched. Therefore, it remains the standard technique for detecting intracranial aneurysms and assessing endovascular embolism.
However, this technology also has risks. The most common complication is femoral hematoma, which occurs in approximately 4% of patients. The risk of a transient ischemic attack is 2.5%, while the risk of permanent neurological deficits leading to stroke is about 0.1%.
These risks mean that doctors need to carefully weigh the benefits and risks of treatment when using this diagnostic technique. With the advancement of medical technology, the application scope and therapeutic effect of cerebral angiography are constantly increasing.
Looking back at Egas Moniz's historic first cerebral angiography, today's medical technology has reached new heights, opening up many neuropathological research and treatment horizons.
The birth of cerebral angiography has promoted the rapid development of neuromedicine, gradually transforming from a single diagnostic technology to a part of treatment, which has far-reaching influence. In the future, through the continued advancement of technology and the introduction of new methods, how will this field evolve to better serve patients?
