Cerebral angiography Health Article

What abnormal results mean

If the contrast dye flows out of the blood vessel, it may indicate internal bleeding. Narrowed arteries may suggest cholesterol deposits, a spasm, or inherited disorders. If the vessels are displaced, it may be caused by tumors or bleeding within the skull, aneurysm (bulging of the artery walls), or malformation.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• Arteriovenous malformation (cerebral)
• Cerebral aneurysm
• Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage
• Intracerebral hemorrhage
• Lobar intracerebral hemorrhage
• Metastatic brain tumor
• Neurosyphilis
• Optic glioma
• Pituitary tumor
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Primary brain tumor
• Stroke secondary to carotid dissection
• Stroke secondary to carotid stenosis
• Stroke secondary to FMD
• Stroke secondary to syphilis
• Syphilitic aseptic meningitis

What the risks are

There is the possibility of significant complications:

• A reaction to the contrast dye can occur.
• There is some risk of the catheter damaging the artery or knocking loose a piece of the artery wall, which can block blood flow and cause a stroke. This is rare, however.
• A clot or bleeding at the puncture site may result in a partial blockage of the blood flow to the leg.

Special considerations

Let your health care provider know immediately if you have:

• Facial weakness
• Slurred speech
• Visual trouble
• Numbness in your leg during or after the procedure