Cerebral Angiography

Abstract

In 1927 Egas Moniz reported a new investigative technique by means of which one could inject a contrast medium into the cranial arteries and then demonstrate them radiographically. In his original description, Egaz Moniz called his technique “arterial encephalography”, but later changed the name himself to “cerebral arteriography” (for the cerebral arteries) and “cerebral phlebography” or venography (for the veins). “Cerebral angiography” became the general term Moniz chose to include both the venous and arterial phases. In the more than 50-year history of cerebral angiography, continuous attempts have been made to perfect this technique so that the discomforts and risks to the patient have been minimized, while the diagnostic results have been maximized. Improvements in cerebral angiography have occurred as a result of advances in three areas: the contrast medium, the injection techniques, and the X-ray technique.