Abstract
The possibility of a portable intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IVDSA) is discussed in this paper. First, serial angiograms using Fuji Computed Radiography 201 (FCR) were taken after a bolus injection of Iopamidol 300 through bilateral cubital veins to find the best dose of contrast medium and the best timing when the cerebral venous system could be visualized. The angiograms were taken in fifteen cases in which CT scan had shown no mass effect and four cases in which a mass effect had been seen on CT. It was found that the best way to present the cerebral venous system was to make a bolus injection of 1.5ml/patient's body weight (kg) of contrast medium at a rate of 10ml/second. After the beginning of injection of the contrast medium, the venous system could be visualized on an average from 15.8 to 22.0 seconds in cases without a mass effect and from 15.2 to 21.4 seconds in cases with a mass effect. A portable IVDSA using a portable X-ray apparatus and imaging plates of FCR was performed in four cases without a mass effect and two cases with a mass effect using the best method of injection of contrast medium and the best timing which were deduced as mentioned above. In all cases, the cerebral venous system, involving cortical veins, sinuses and deep venous system, could be visualized as clearly as with conventional angiograms. No complications occured in our experience. We emphasize that this method will be useful in following the clinical course of patients with cerebral venous thrombosis.
