Intraoperative Digital Subtraction Angiography

Various intraoperative monitorings have been performed during neurosurgery. Intraoperative cerebral angiography during an operation on cerebrovascular disorders can contribute to the safety of the operation. We performed intraoperative cerebral angiography on 13 patients who had intracranial cerebral aneurysms. A portable digital subtraction angiography unit was used on all those patients. In 5 patients, angiography was performed by direct puncture of the common carotid artery, l had retrograde brachial arterial angiography, and the other 7 had Seldinger's angiography via the right brachial artery. Aneurysmal neck clipping was performed on all patients, and the complete disappearance of the aneurysm was confirmed by intraoperative cerebral angiography. With the portable digital subtraction angiography unit, the disappearance of the aneurysm and the preservation of arteries around the aneurysm were confirmed in the same way as conventional postoperative angiography. Intraoperative cerebral angiography was performed safely without thrombosis or embolism. In conclusion, intraoperative angiography is a safe and useful method for aneurysm operation. Especially, Seldinger's method via brachial artery is safe and convenient.