Abstract
Cerebral angiography is the most important diagnostic procedure for aneurysms. However, it is often necessary to obtain several oblique views in order to confirm the location, shape, and origin of an aneurysm. Recently, the development of a rotational stereoscopic cerebral angiography (RS-CAG) system, consisting of a Diagnost N unit, an image intensifier, and a camera, was reported. Subsequently a similar unit was devised, in which the image intensifier was replaced by a film changer CXC-U1. The X-ray tube and film changer are rotated around the head, which is positioned at the isocentrum of the tube/film changer unit. During the rotation procedure, sequential 3-persecond X-ray exposures at angles differing by about 5° yield stereoscopic images. The total exposure is 60°.
Six patients with aneurysms underwent both conventional angiography and RS-CAG. Another 20 patients were studied by RS-CAG alone. RS-CAG more clearly depicted the location, size, and shape of aneurysms. Overlapping arteries and arterial loops were also better visualized with RS-CAG, and the time required for examination was shorter than that of conventional angiography. In most cases, one RS-CAG examination was sufficient for evaluation of unilateral lesions within the territory of the internal cerebral artery.
