Intraoperative Digital Subtraction Angiography in the Management of Cerebral Vascular Surgery

Abstract

With the advant of recent technology, intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has become useful in verifying the precision of surgical results. We report our experience using commercially available equipment to demonstrate its application as a diagnostic and therapeutic adjunct to neurological surgery. Intraoperative DSA was performed in 13 patients, including resection of arteriovenous malformations (AVM), obliteration of intracranial aneurysms, creation of bypass graft, carotid endoarterectomy and removal of tumor. In 4 cases, angiography was used to facilitate intraoperative embolization of a vascular lesion. There were no complications in the 13 cases that may be related to the intraoperative angiographic procedure. This technique appears to be a valuable adjunct not only as a diagnostic but also therapeutic tool.