Angiography of cerebral vessels: types, features, indications, effects, price

The vascular pattern of a person is able to tell about a variety of processes, including tumors and micro-strokes. One of the most informative techniques for studying human cerebral vessels is angiography - by means of this procedure it is possible to detect sites of expansion or narrowing of blood vessels.

Features of the procedure

This term is called an X-ray study, during which the state of veins, lymphatic pathways, arteries is analyzed. This procedure allows you to detect areas of constriction or blockage of blood vessels, the place and level of their expansion, bleeding, the presence of a tumor and other problems that can not be determined otherwise.

The procedure involves the introduction into the arterial blood system of a contrast agent made on the basis of iodine. The contrast can be seen on an x-ray. The specialist who sits behind the monitor, monitors the movement of this substance and through specific time intervals takes pictures. In these images, you can see narrowing, branching, constriction of the cerebral vessels.

Equipment for angiography

It should be borne in mind that an ordinary X-ray examination does not provide an opportunity to study the state of the vessels, since radiation is absorbed by soft tissues.

Angiography includes in three steps:

• Introduction of a catheter. At this stage, through one of the arteries, a plastic tube is fed to the desired vessel. Previously, it is necessary to disinfect the site of the catheter installation and make an anesthetic injection.
• Introduction of contrast. It allows you to see how the blood supply of the brain is carried out, and also what changes are present in the vessels. Typically, the contrast is entered three to four times - then immediately take a picture.
• Removing the catheter. After the examination, the tube should be removed from the vessel, and the injection site is well pressed - this will prevent bleeding. After 15 minutes, you can impose a sterile bandage.

Indications for the implementation of

This procedure is widely used to detect vascular pathologies - stenosis, aneurysms, etc. Also with her help you can detect tumors, cysts and other pathologies.

Angiography allows you to view the state of vessels of any size - from the aorta to the small capillaries. In addition, it allows you to see all the human organs. Often, angiography is performed before surgery - it is required to prepare for intervention and diagnosis.

There are specific indications of for performing this procedure:

• Prolonged headache that does not respond to other methods of treatment.
• Constant dizziness, arising regardless of the position of the trunk.
• Pain in the neck region.
• Nausea, not related to food intake or pregnancy.
• Constant syncope.

Angiography is often performed with the following pathology types:

1. Vessel constriction.
2. Diseases of the aorta.
3. Vessel integrity disorder.
4. Atherosclerosis is a pathology of arteries of a chronic nature.
5. Tumors.
6. Thrombosis - the formation of blood clots in the lumens of blood vessels.
7. Aneurysm - protrusion of the artery wall, associated with its thinning or stretching.
8. Malformation is the connection between arteries and veins of a pathological nature.

Although this procedure is considered safe enough, has a number of contraindications to for such an intervention:

1. Mental diseases.
2. Allergy to iodine and its derivatives. Decompensated deficiency of the kidneys, heart, liver.
3. Diseases that are associated with a clotting disorder.
4. Pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding.

Methods of implementing

There are several types of angiography that differ depending on the method of the procedure:

• MR or MRI angiography of cerebral vessels.
  Allows you to obtain images of vessels through the use of a magnetic resonance imager. The examination is carried out on devices having a magnetic field strength of at least 0.3 T.With the help of this technique, it is possible to evaluate the anatomical and functional characteristics of the blood flow.
• Cerebral angiography.
  Contrast is introduced through the thigh or carotid artery. It enters the cerebral vessels, allowing to reveal a tumor in a person, an aneurysm, a thrombosis, a hematoma, narrowing of the vessels.
• Selective angiography.
  In contrast to general angiography, during which all vessels are studied, selective studies contrast only individual vessels. The study makes it possible to detect aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and cerebral circulation disorders.
• MSCT or CT angiography of cerebral vessels.
  Performed using a multispiral computer tomograph. During the procedure, 80-120 ml of radiocontrast substance is intravenously injected. This method is almost non-invasive, which can not be said about classical angiography. The only exception is the installation of an intravenous catheter, through which a contrast is introduced. The procedure does not take much time, and the information obtained during it allows you to examine the state of the vascular bed, the walls of the vessels, and detect pathologies in their development.

Approximate cost of angiography of cerebral vessels

The average price of angiography of arteries or venous sinuses of the brain is about 4000 rubles. Simultaneous examination of veins and arteries costs about 7000 rubles. Carrying out of angiography of veins and arteries of the brain together with magnetic resonance imaging costs about 10,000 rubles.

Consequences of

Most people feel well after such an examination. However, 5% of patients face certain complications. The main disadvantages of this type of procedure are:

1. Allergy to injected contrast or to the antiseptic that is used in the study.
2. Bleeding, formed at the site of the puncture of the vessel.
3. Myocardial infarction, stroke and other severe heart lesions. It is worth noting that these types of deviations are very rare.

Video about what information the doctor receives when angiography:

Angiography of the cerebral vessels is considered a reliable and profound study that allows to reveal various pathologies. Through this procedure, it is possible to detect narrowing or widening of blood vessels, aneurysms, brain tumors. Therefore, in the presence of clear indications, in no case should this type of research be neglected.