Background/objective: Prior to interventional neuroradiology procedures, many patients undergo noninvasive studies such as computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). The ability to use these studies during invasive neuroangiographic procedures reduces additional contrast and radiation exposure, and allows for the integration of extravascular imaging.
Method: Navigation roadmaps were created by merging CTA or MRA studies with 3-dimensional volumes in the angiography suite. Roadmaps were created for 3 patients undergoing interventional procedures, one of which used a noncontrasted rotational volume.
Results: Coregistration of CTA or MRA data with real-time angiographic imaging was successful in all 3 patients. Coregistration persisted despite table movement. These roadmaps were used to successfully navigate catheters and wires between vessels in 2 patients.
Conclusion: Offline CTA and MRA studies were successfully combined with real-time imaging at the time of angiography. This technique can reduce radiation and iodinated contrast exposure, and expands the application of angiographic technology in cerebrovascular and other neurosurgical diseases.
© 2010 by the American Society of Neuroimaging.