Intraoperative angiography using a portable digital subtraction unit

Abstract

A portable digital subtraction unit has been used in the operating room as an important improvement in obtaining high-quality intraoperative angiograms. This digital subtraction system offers several advantages over previously described techniques for intraoperative studies. Not only are the images of good quality, but also the dose of contrast medium is reduced and a real-time imaging capability allows the surgeon to visualize the passage of contrast agent dynamically. Arterial injections may be performed by selective femoral cerebral catheterization, puncture of the cervical carotid artery, retrograde catheterization via the superficial temporal artery, or puncture of an intracranial vessel at the time of surgery.