Advances in neuro-angiography

Angiography is a term which describes different techniques used to visualize the blood vessels. Computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonant angiography, and digital subtraction angiography are the vascular techniques commonly used for this purpose. These procedures are typically used to diagnose vascular abnormalities such as cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and fistulas, cerebral vasospasm, intracranial stenosis, and vasculitis. Catheter angiography and computed tomography angiography (CTA) as well as magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) have progressively improved in the past several decades. In many situations, the noninvasive angiographic methods may be equal to catheter angiography for diagnostic accuracy. In other circumstances, conventional angiogram remains the gold standard for diagnosis of many vessel abnormalities and pathology. However, in many conditions a combination of more than one technique is reasonable and warranted for better evaluation of the vascular abnormalities. In this review, we will discuss some of the recent developments in angiography research and will provide updates on the new techniques in CTA, MRA, and DSA in diagnosis cerebrovascular abnormalities.