title: Digital subtraction cerebral angiography by intraarterial injection: comparison with conventional angiography.
abstract: For 4 months, a prototype digital subtraction system was used to obtain images of the cerebral vasculature after intraarterial contrast injections. In 12 instances, the intraarterial injections were recorded with both a digital subtraction unit and conventional direct magnification film-screen system. The digital subtraction and conventional film subtraction images were compared and graded for quality and information content by three skilled observers. In addition, quantitative measurements of contrast-detail performance and spatial resolution were obtained on both the digital system and the screen-film imaging chain. In a clinical setting, both the digital subtraction and conventional film-screen systems provided similar quality images and angiographic information. Contrast-detail curves demonstrated that digital subtraction angiography outperformed conventional film technique for low-contrast objects. Digital subtraction angiography also reduced the time required to obtain the angiogram, markedly reduced film cost, and lowered the contrast agent burden.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002339:Carotid Arteries; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D008875:Middle Aged; D013382:Subtraction Technique; D014711:Vertebral Artery
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media