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From diagnosis to treatment: How can cerebral angiography save lives at the same time?
Cerebral angiography is a specialized imaging technique that can clearly show the condition of the brain and the blood vessels around it. This technology was first invented by Portuguese neurologist Aigas Moniz in 1927 and still plays a key role in clinical practice, especially in detecting abnormalities such as intracranial arteriovenous malformations and aneurysms.
Cerebral angiography inserts a catheter and injects contrast agent, which allows a clearer view of the blood vessels than other non-invasive examination methods.
The procedure usually begins with an insertion of a catheter into the hip artery, which is passed through the circulatory system and eventually into the carotid artery, where contrast dye is injected. When the contrast agent enters the brain's arterial system, we can obtain a complete picture of the blood vessels through multiple radiographic images. This enables doctors to detect various types of lesions in a timely manner and improves the accuracy of diagnosis.
Application of cerebral angiography
Cerebral angiography is not only used for diagnosis, but in many cases it can also be used to provide immediate treatment. It can detect a variety of diseases inside or outside the brain, and its clinical applications include:
- Non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage
- Intracranial aneurysm
- Stroke
- Cerebral vasospasm
- Intracranial arteriovenous malformation
- Dural arteriovenous fistula
Cerebral angiography can provide higher vascular detail analysis than CT or MRI, and has become the gold standard for diagnosing intracranial aneurysms.
Implementation techniques and considerations
Before performing this procedure, your doctor will need to take a detailed medical history and perform a neurological examination. This includes a review of past imaging findings and blood parameters. The doctor will assess the appropriate catheter and ensure the patient's blood is healthy and that there are no contraindications such as renal insufficiency. For diabetic patients, insulin requirements need to be reduced by half.
Post-procedural care and complications
After the operation, the patient needs appropriate care. For example, keep the puncture site stable and under pressure to avoid bleeding. Medical staff will closely monitor for complications, such as hematoma or temporary neurological effects.
The most common complication is hematoma at the puncture site, which occurs in approximately 4%. Neurological complications occurred in 2.5% of cases.
The history and future of cerebral angiography
Since it was first performed in 1927, cerebral angiography has undergone continuous improvements, particularly in catheter technology and imaging techniques. Although modern MRI and CT scans provide very clear images, cerebral angiography is still essential in certain situations, especially when manipulative treatment is required.
In the future, as technology develops, cerebral angiography may become safer and more effective with more precise tools, further enhancing its clinical application. However, wouldn’t this technology expose patients to some technical discomfort or confusion?
