Alternative names
Vertebral angiogram; Angiography - head; Carotid angiogram

Definition
The arteries are not normally seen in an X-ray, so a contrast dye is injected into one or more arteries to make them visible. For the cerebral angiography, the contrast dye is injected into one or both of the carotid and/or vertebral arteries that are in the neck.

How the test is performed

This test is done in the hospital. You will be asked to lie on the X-ray table. Your head is positioned and immobilized by using a strap, tape, or sandbags. Electrocardiogram (ECG) leads are taped to your arms and legs to monitor your heart during the test.

The area where the contrast dye will be injected is shaved and cleansed. The site is usually in the leg. You are given a local anesthetic, the artery is punctured, and a needle is inserted into the artery.

A catheter (a long, narrow, flexible tube) is inserted through the needle and into the artery. It is then threaded through the main vessels of the abdomen and chest until it is properly placed in the arteries of the neck. This procedure is monitored by a fluoroscope (a special X-ray that projects the images on a TV monitor).

The contrast dye is then injected into the neck area through the catheter, and the X-ray pictures are taken. The catheter is kept open by flushing it periodically with a saline solution containing heparin, which will keep the blood in the catheter from clotting. Your pulse, blood pressure, and breathing are monitored during the procedure.

After the X-rays are taken, the needle and catheter are withdrawn. Pressure is immediately applied on the leg at the site of insertion for 10 to 15 minutes to stop the bleeding. After that time, the area is checked and a tight bandage is applied. Your leg should be kept straight for 12 hours after the procedure.

Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSI) uses a computer to “subtract” out the bones and tissues in the region viewed such that only the vessels filled with contrast are seen.

How to prepare for the test

 
• Advise the health care provider if you are pregnant or if you have ever had any bleeding problems. Allergic reactions to X-ray contrast dye or any iodine substance and any other allergic reactions should be mentioned.  
• You must sign a consent form.  
• Routine blood tests will be done and an examination of the nervous system performed before the procedure.  
• Food or fluid may be restricted 4 to 8 hours before the procedure.  
• You will be given a hospital gown to wear. You must remove all jewelry.  
• A sedative or pain pill may be given to you before the procedure.

Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child’s age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child’s age:

 
• infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)  
• toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)  
• preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)  
• schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)  
• adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How the test will feel
The X-ray table may be hard and cold, but you may ask for a blanket or pillow. There is a brief sting when the local anesthetic is given. This does not numb the artery, so there will be brief, sharp pain as the catheter is inserted into the artery. There is a slight feeling of pressure as the catheter is advanced.

As the dye is injected, there may be a warmth or burning sensation. You may experience a slight headache or feel flushed on the side of the face. There may be slight tenderness and bruising at the site of the injection after the test.

Why the test is performed
The test is most frequently used to confirm cases of stroke, tumor, bulging of the artery walls, a clot, a narrowing of the arteries, and to evaluate the arteries of the head and neck before a corrective surgery. It is used to get more exact information after something abnormal has been detected by an MRI or CT scan of the head such as bleeding within the brain.

What abnormal results mean
If the contrast dye flows out of the blood vessel, it may indicate internal bleeding. Narrowed arteries may suggest cholesterol deposits, a spasm, or inherited disorders. If the vessels are displaced, it may be caused by tumors or bleeding within the skull, aneurysm (bulging of the artery walls), or malformation.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

 
• Arteriovenous malformation (cerebral)  
• cerebral aneurysm  
• hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage  
• intracerebral hemorrhage  
• lobar intracerebral hemorrhage  
• metastatic brain tumor  
• neurosyphilis  
• optic glioma  
• pituitary tumor  
• polycystic kidney disease  
• primary brain tumor  
• stroke secondary to carotid dissection  
• stroke secondary to carotid stenosis  
• stroke secondary to FMD  
• stroke secondary to syphilis  
• syphilitic aseptic meningitis

What the risks are

There is the possibility of significant complications:

 
• A reaction to the contrast dye can occur.  
• There is some risk of the catheter damaging the artery or knocking loose a piece of the artery wall, which can block blood flow and cause a stroke. This is rare, however.  
• A clot or bleeding at the puncture site may result in a partial blockage of the blood to the leg.

Special considerations

Notify your health care provider immediately if you have:

 
• facial weakness  
• slurred speech  
• visual trouble  
• numbness in your leg during or after the procedure

 

Medical Encyclopedia

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.