Renal digital subtraction angiography

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA), a new computer-assisted radiographic procedure, has recently been applied to the evaluation of the kidney and in the screening of patients with renal vascular hypertension. The efficacy of the method in the evaluation of the anatomy of proximal renal arteries is in the 80–90% range; however, DSA is less effective in the evaluation of renal mass lesion. In the present state of DSA development, the method has a place in screening for renal artery stenosis (RAS). Further development, particularly improvement in spatial resolution, will be necessary before this procedure can substitute for renal angiography, in the evaluation of renal masses or in some cases of RAS.     

Current experience with digital subtraction angiography in the community medical center

At the community medical center, we have introduced and successfully applied digital subtraction angiography (DSA) to disease processes seen in 1,144 patients. Although there is a trade-off between increased contrast resolution and decreased spatial resolution with the DSA approach, nonetheless in many vascular beds it provides rapid, safe, and accurate disease diagnosis.     

Digital subtraction angiography of the aortic arch

We evaluated the utility of intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV DSA) for diagnosing lesions of the aortic arch and great vessels in 25 patients. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was found useful in evaluating congenital and acquired lesions of the arch and great vessel origins, and it proved adequate for follow-up of patients who had graft replacement. Cases examined included: right aortic arch, double arch, aortic coarctation, aberrant vascular origins, aortic aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm, changes in atherosclerotic great vessels, and revascularization procedures for patients with pulmonary atresia and aortic interruption. In our experience, DSA is a useful tool for screening and following patients with aortic arch or great vessel lesions; it is often the only diagnostic imaging examination necessary.     

Cardiac digital subtraction angiography: Peripheral versus central intravenous dye injections

Peripheral and central intravenous injections of contrast material were performed during the cardiac digital subtraction angiographic (DSA) studies of 24 patients keeping constant X-ray exposure factors, volume of dye, and angiographic projection. The resulting continuous-mask-subtracted runs of cardiac images were videotaped and reviewed by three observers. In a forced-choice comparison, the central injection was judged to produce images of superior technical quality 42 times as opposed to 30 times for the peripheral injection. When comparing the diagnostic quality of the studies, the reviewers found no significant difference in diagnostic adequacy in 65 judgments (90%). They found the central injection to be superior in diagnostic quality in four judgments (twice in the same patient) and the peripheral injection superior in three judgments (all in the same patient). Although central intravenous injections produce slightly better cardiac digital subtraction angiographic images, we have found peripheral injections diagnostically adequate for most of these studies and favor them for simplicity and ease of performance.     

Intravenous digital subtraction angiography in diagnosis of vascular graft occlusion

Differentiation is often difficult between vascular graft occlusion and progression of underlying disease in patients after vascular surgery. We have studied 57 patients after surgery for traumatic and atherosclerotic arterial occlusion and other vascular anomalies using a commercial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) unit; no complications occurred. Indications for examination included pain, diminished pulse, and failure of catheter angiography. Graft patency was established if proximal and distal anastomoses were visualized; occlusion was diagnosed if no graft was imaged or vascular stump found—noted in 31 grafts. Our diagnosis was proved surgically in 24 patients (two refused operation); three others were confirmed angiographically and one by Doppler ultrasonic examination. In our experience DSA is a safe, specific means of following postoperative grafts and diagnosing their occlusion. This work was supported in part by U.S. Public Health Service Grant No. HL07334     

Intravenous digital subtraction angiography of the thoracic and abdominal aorta

Intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV DSA) is a new imaging modality that utilizes techniques of video image acquisition and computer image manipulation to provide anatomic information about blood vessels and organs. In many ways, it represents an electronic version of classic intravenous and film-subtraction angiography. As a means of imaging the thoracic and abdominal aorta, IV DSA has demonstrated great potential, particularly in vessels originally imaged by the former techniques. We have imaged the aorta in over 300 cases at Brigham and Women's Hospital, either alone, or in combination with other vessels in the course of work-up for vascular disease. Although experience has been limited, intravenous imaging of the aorta can be routinely performed, providing reliable and clinically significant information. Supported in part by CV Training Grant 201-HL20895-06     

Intravenous digital subtraction angiography in patients with femoral arteriovenous fistulas and ilio-iliac crossover graft

Fourteen patients with femoral arteriovenous (AV) fistulas and ilio-iliac crossover bypass grafts after postthrombotic occlusion of an iliac vein were studied by intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV DSA). Digital radiography's utility may be evaluated in the demonstration of the vascular status of AV fistulas and venous return through the reopened iliac vein or ilio-iliac graft. Digital subtraction imaging is a suitable modality to plan operations, such as closure of temporary AV fistula. In follow-up studies of these cases, patency of the crossover bypass can be assessed by noninvasive DSA of the ascending veins.     

Intravenous digital subtraction angiography in patients with Aorto-arteritis (Takayasu's)

Aorto-arteritis is one of the commonest vascular diseases in China as well as in Japan and other parts of Asia. The results of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in 50 patients with aortoarteritis are reported, and the merits and demerits of intravenous (IV) DSA in the diagnosis of this entity are evaluated. Among the 51 studies performed on 50 patients, IV DSA was used in 48, intraarterial (IA) DSA in 3, and good-to-excellent visualization was obtained in 96% of patients. Aorto-arteritis of varying severity and involving the thoraco-abdominal aorta, the iliac arteries, and other major branches was clearly demonstrated by IV DSA. IV DSA, as compared to our previous experience with conventional arteriography in this entity, may be substituted for conventional arteriography in most patients. A large dose of contrast media needed for a complete study is a major deficiency of IV DSA, and it also has limitations for showing the intrarenal arterial branches.     

Clinical application of hybrid subtraction digital angiography: Preliminary results

The clinical application of hybrid subtraction in digital fluoroscopy of the vasculature is reported in our first 30 patients studied. Hybrid subtraction combines the advantages of temporal and dual energy subtraction techniques to achieve simultaneous elimination of overlying bone, soft tissue, and motion induced artifacts. Hybrid subtraction improved the subjective appearance of an image in 19 of 30 (63%) studies but additional diagnostic information was only revealed in 11 of 30 (37%) patients. This study was supported in part by the General Electric Company Medical Systems Division and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (Contract #HV-02922)     

Cardiac imaging with digital subtraction angiography

Central cardiovascular anatomy and function have been evaluated with intravenous digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The subtraction techniques used for studying the left ventricle (LV) were mask mode, time interval difference and functional subtraction. Aside from contrast enhancement, a major use of digital fluoroscopy for cardiac applications has been computer-assisted quantitative analysis of LV dimensions and function. Left ventricular volumes and wall thickness determined from DSA studies have correlated closely with direct left ventriculograms and sonocardiometry measurements in patients and animals, respectively. Measurements of segmental LV contraction with DSA correlated closely with direct left ventriculography in normal patients and patients with coronary artery disease. The sensitivity of intravenous DSA for detecting significant coronary artery disease was increased by performing DSA immediately after increasing the myocardial oxygen demands by atrial pacing. The advantages and disadvantages of DSA in relation to other semi-or non-invasive imaging modalities are discussed.     

Intra-venous digital subtraction angiography: an alternative method to intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography for experimental aneurysm imaging

Conventional intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA), which necessitates surgical exposure and ligation of the femoral artery, is an invasive and expensive method of evaluation for experimental elastase-induced aneurysms in rabbits. The purpose of this study was to examine and validate intra-venous digital subtraction angiography (IVDSA) as an alternative to IADSA by comparing their diagnostic accuracies. We performed both IVDSA and IADSA for 24 elastase-induced saccular aneurysms in a rabbit model, 1 month following creation. Aneurysm sizes (neck, width and height) from both the IVDSA and IADSA procedures were evaluated and measured. Comparison of the aneurysm sizes between IVDSA and IADSA were performed with the Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test. All the aneurysms were seen clearly in both the IVDSA and IADSA techniques. Mean sizes of the IVDSA aneurysm neck, width and height were 3.41±0.80 mm, 3.61±0.93 mm and 8.07±2.11 mm, respectively. Mean sizes of the IADSA aneurysm neck, width and height were 3.43±0.80 mm, 3.66±0.92 mm and 8.16±2.25 mm, respectively. No significant difference was found in the sizes of the aneurysm neck, width and height between the two groups (P=0.311, P=0.086 and P=0.258, respectively). IVDSA appears to be an alternative method for evaluating elastase-induced aneurysms in rabbits.     

多层螺旋CT血管成像在腹主动脉瘤中的诊断应用

目的探讨多层螺旋CT血管成像在腹主动脉瘤（AAA）中的诊断价值。方法30例临床疑诊AAA患者均经16层螺旋CT血管成像（MSCTA）。采用最大密度投影（M1P）、多平面重组（MPR）、容积再现（VR）技术对传送至AW4.1工作站的原始数据进行重建,获得二维或三维的立体图像。结果30例疑诊AAA患者中有7例真性腹主动脉瘤,15例假性动脉瘤,8例主动脉夹层。MPR能准确显示瘤体位置、形态、范围及附壁血栓。MIP能较好地显示瘤壁及附壁血栓内的钙化。VR技术能立体精确显示腹主动脉、瘤体及周围组织结构的空间关系。结论多层螺旋CT血管成像是一种无创、快速的检查方法,为临床诊断、治疗腹主动脉瘤提供重要信息。     

Value of intravenous digital subtraction angiography to demonstrate hypervascular endocrine tumors: Report of two cases

We describe two cases of hypervascular, endocrine tumors demonstrated by intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV DSA), the first an insulinoma in the head of the pancreas and the second a pheochromocytoma of the left-side adrenal gland. The limitations of IV DSA to reveal these tumors is considered as well as the possible value of the modality as a screening procedure for endocrine neoplasms.     

Localization of carotid cavernous fistula using digital subtraction angiography

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA), with its rapid imaging rate (30 video frames per second) and immediately available subtraction images, provides excellent vascular detail in localization of the exact site of internal carotid-cavernous fistula. In a patient with two fistulas, we successfully used DSA to determine the sites of fistula and accurately positioned detachable balloons to occlude them.     

Detection of unruptured familial intracranial aneurysms by intravenous digital subtraction angiography

Summary The authors discuss the detection of intracranial aneurysms (IA) by means of intravenous digital angiography (ivDSA) in (a)symptomatic first degree relatives of families in which two or more individuals have IA. ivDSA is an almost noninvasive and low-risk diagnostic procedure. Screening, by means of ivDSA, of two affected families is described. In family I which includes 7 members with proven IA, ivDSA has been carried out in 36 asymptomatic individuals: in one, a 6x15 mm aneurysm was found at the left posterior communicating artery (PCoA). In family II, including one member with a proven IA and another with a subarachnoid hemorrhage, ivDSA has been carried out in 4 members: one aneurysm with a diameter of 6 mm was found at the left PCoA. Conventional cerebral angiography (CCA) confirmed both IA's. Neurosurgical treatment followed. The advantages and disadvantages of ivDSA vs. CCA as elective screening procedure in such cases are discussed. Screening of asymptomatic first degree relatives of cases with familial IA by means of ivDSA is strongly advocated.     

Digital intraarterial subtraction technique of the extracerebral vascular system

We report the results from intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (IA DSA) of the extracerebral vessels with aortic arch injection of contrast medium via femoro-arterial puncture, instead of the more widely used intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV DSA). Intraarterial DSA is performed using a lower contrast dose and rate, making this study less invasive and costly than the conventional arteriographic study of the aortic arch. Intraarterial DSA provides better resolution than IV DSA. The diagnostic accuracy is almost equivalent to conventional angiography and is largely superior to photographic subtraction angiography with intravenous injection of contrast media.     

107例数字减影血管造影受检者所受辐射剂量分析

目的 统计血管造影受检者每次检查所受辐射剂量值及影响辐射剂量的相关因素,为分析、评估放射诊疗风险提供数据参考。方法 收集107例受检者检查时在线记录的全部辐射剂量值及其与剂量相关的技术参数值,按照检查区域头部、腹部和心脏进行分类,统计每例受检者的总透视时间、透视累积剂量面积乘积(DAP)、透视累积皮肤入射剂量(ESD),计算透视剂量率;统计每例受检者的造影曝光次数、造影曝光时间、采集帧频率,以及造影累积剂量面积乘积和造影累积皮肤入射剂量;统计每例受检者的透视加造影的总累积剂量面积乘积和总累积皮肤入射剂量。对所有数据分门别类进行相应的对比分析。结果 冠状动脉造影+介入,ESD为(22 285.5±18 682.7)μGy·m²,DAP为(2 942.1±2 557.3)mGy;头部血管造影DAP为(25 929.6±8 302.7)μGy ·m²,DAP为(1 288.8±682.3)mGy;腹部血管造影,DAP为(12 129.7±10 646.1)μGy·m²,ESD为(730.1±584.7)mGy。结论 血管造影受检者所受总累积剂量,冠状动脉造影相对最高,其次是头部血管造影,腹部血管造影相对较低。     

侧位脑血管数字图像反向转动配准减影的初步研究

目的 探讨将侧位脑血管数字图像进行反向转动后配准减影的可行性及其价值.方法 (1)实验研究:在笔者用Visual Basic编写的旋转配准减影软件中对试验靶片直接进行减影处理和将靶片旋转角度后再进行减影处理.观察软件的自动旋转角度探测功能是否探测出直线旋转的角度以及减影功能是否正常.(2)患者图像回顾性研究:将15例在侧位脑血管成像过程中靶血管围绕冠状轴发生了转动的图像读入软件.对同一组蒙靶片分别进行传统的配准减影和先反转一定角度后再进行传统配准减影处理.(3)评价:由4名相关专业的高级职称医师一起对这两组图像进行对比读片.结果 (1)软件配备的自动旋转角度探测功能提示靶片应逆时针方向旋转1.3..软件减影结果正确.(2)在回顾性研究中,用传统减影方法获得较清晰图像3例,在经反转配准减影处理后,伪影明显减少,图像更加清晰;经传统配准减影后有明显伪影的图像10例,在经反转配准减影处理后,获得清晰图像,末梢的血管影像也得以显示;经传统配准减影后无法辨认的图像2例,经过反转配准减影后达到诊断要求.(3)评价结果:反转配准减影的噪声控制和血管细节显示能力都优于传统配准方法;图像没有变形失真;图像清晰度稍有下降.结论 反向转动配准减影技术能明显提高侧位脑血管数字减影图像的质量.     

Stepped digital angiography with dynamic subtraction: a new diagnostic approach to peripheral angiography

On the basis of our first experiences, a purchasable angiography system for peripheral angiography with dynamic subtraction and stepping (DPSA) has been developed. This study reports on the optimization of this technique and the first clinical results in comparison with conventional screen-film angiography and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in single steps. For each method, 25 angiograms were interpreted to compare the image quality, the radiation exposure, the contrast medium and the film consumption as well as the examination time. Image quality proved to be comparable in DPSA and DSA in single steps. Both techniques showed better results than conventional angiography, especially in the region of the knee and lower leg. Using DPSA radiation exposure dropped by a factor of 2 compared with conventional angiography and by a factor of 6 compared with DSA in single steps. Consumption of contrast medium can also be reduced in comparison with the other two methods. Film consumption is incomparably higher in conventional screen-film angiography. With DPSA the examination time can be reduced by half on average compared with the other two methods. DPSA may come to be the standard in peripheral angiography. Correspondence to: U. Fink     

中枢性眩晕飞行员全脑血管造影初步分析

目的 了解中枢性眩晕飞行员患者脑血管的形态结构.方法 利用数字减影血管造影技术对飞行员患者行主动脉弓及全脑血管造影,分析血管结构异常的类型.结果 7例患者中4例患者为一侧椎动脉纤细,其中2例发生了椎动脉闭塞,另有2例脑血管存在先天变异;1例患者有颈内动脉狭窄;2例患者造影未见异常.结论 飞行员中枢性眩晕的原因有可能是脑血管变异、脑血管闭塞和狭窄引起的. Abstract： Objective To investigate the morphological changes of cerebral blood vessels by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the hospitalized military pilots with central vertigo.Methods Seven pilots were examined by cerebral and aortic arch DSA through femoral artery puncture. Type and distribution of the cerebrovascular abnormalities were observed and analyzed.Results Four pilots out of 7 were thinner unilateral vertebral artery and 2 of them appeared vertebral artery occlusion and the rest 2 pilots showed congenital abnormalities of cerebral artery. One pilot was diagnosed as internal carotid artery stenosis. Only 2 pilots were not detected abnormalities by DSA.Conclusions Congenital abnormalities, stenosis and occlusion of cerebral artery would be the reasons of resulting in pilot's central vertigo.