Cerebral Angiography Overview

A medical procedure to visualize cerebral blood vessels by injecting iodine-based contrast dye into an artery.

A technique in cerebral angiography that removes background tissue from the X-ray images to better see blood vessels.

Iodine-based substance injected during angiography to visualize blood vessels.

Weighing the risks to the fetus against the potential benefits of information from the procedure.

No food or clear liquids for at least 6 hours before a cerebral angiography procedure.

Checking for allergies to contrast media, and giving antihistamines if needed.

Closely monitoring the injection site for clotting after the procedure.

Checking BUN and creatinine levels to evaluate kidney's ability to process dye.

Before a CT scan, the patient should refrain from food and fluids for a few hours and be assessed for allergies to shellfish or iodine. Kidney function (BUN & Creatinine) is also checked.

A CT scan requires the patient to lie supine with their head secured during the test. Pillows can be used to prevent back pain.

Contrast media (iodine-based) can enhance CT images, but patients may have allergies or kidney concerns that require evaluation.

Monitoring includes kidney function, especially if contrast media was used, and watching for allergic reactions. If sedation was used, close monitoring until stable.

CT scans are used to find tumors, blockages (infarctions), see abnormalities, monitor treatment, or guide biopsies.

A non-invasive test that measures brain electrical activity through electrodes on the scalp.

Used to find seizure activity, sleep disorders, and behavioral issues.

Clean hair to remove oils and products for accurate signal measurement.

Procedures using light flashes or breathing exercises to encourage brain wave recording.

Brainwave recording usually takes 45 to 120 minutes.

A tool to assess the level of consciousness and monitor response to treatment, especially for neurological patients like those with head injuries.

Measures the best eye opening response (spontaneous, to sound, to pain, or none).

Assesses the best verbal response (coherent, incoherent, inappropriate words, sounds, or none).

Determines the best motor response to commands or stimuli (obeying, local reaction, withdrawal, abnormal postures, or none).

The higher the score (highest being 15), the better the level of consciousness. Scores below 8 indicate severe injury and coma.

If a patient is intubated, the GCS score is often reported as two scores; eye and motor; with a "t" to indicate tube; e.g., GCS 5t.

Used for clients with head injuries, space-occupying lesions, cerebral infarctions, and encephalitis, as a benchmark to track response to treatment.

Calculation uses stimuli (pain may be necessary) and assesses the client's response in eye opening, verbal, and motor areas.

To analyze cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diseases, infections, or malignancies, reduce CSF pressure, or deliver medication.

Remove jewelry, void, and have vital signs and baseline neurological checks before a lumbar puncture.

Positioning stretches the spinal canal, often in a "cannonball" or fetal position, while on one side, or stretched over an overbed table.

Maintaining a sterile environment during the needle insertion and CSF withdrawal to prevent infection.

Remain lying down for several hours to allow clotting and prevent post-lumbar puncture headaches.

Monitor the puncture site for signs of bleeding or infection; vital signs, neurological exams repeated; rest.

CSF leakage, after the procedure, leads to headaches.

Brain herniation, especially in high intracranial pressure (ICP), and bleeding risks; with anticoagulants / bleeding disorders.

A medical imaging technique using magnets to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body.

A substance injected to highlight specific structures in an MRI scan, enhancing image quality.

Removing metal objects (jewelry, implants, etc.) to prevent interference with the MRI magnet.

MRI is generally considered safer than CT scans for pregnant women due to avoiding radiation.

Monitoring vital signs, providing oxygen/ventilation, and using MRI-approved equipment during the procedure.

Monitoring for clotting, allergies, and sedation effects after contrast medium or sedation during the MRI.

To detect abnormalities, monitor treatment, and guide biopsies using soft-tissue discrimination.

Removing metal, a hospital gown, and potentially fasting if sedation is planned; ensuring client is calm and informed.

Nuclear medicine procedures creating 3D images of the head, useful for static (vessels) or functional (brain activity) analysis.

Glucose-based tracer injected before a PET scan to show regional metabolic activity.

A radioisotope substance used for SPECT scanning to create images of the head.

Used to find tumor activity and its response to treatment, or to detect dementia.

Discussing potential risks and benefits, especially for pregnant clients, and assessing for diabetes history.

A medical imaging technique using electromagnetic radiation to create images of internal body structures.

X-rays of the skull and spine help detect fractures, curvatures, and other bone or soft tissue abnormalities that might affect the nervous system.

Before an X-ray, check for pregnancy, remove jewelry/clothing from the area to be imaged.

The client must remain still during the quick X-ray procedure.

No special post-procedure care is normally required.