Angiogram of the Head and Neck

Carotid Angiogram, Cerebral Angiogram

Test Overview

Angiogram of the head and neck is an X-ray test that uses a special dye and camera (fluoroscopy) to take pictures of the blood flow in the blood vessels of the head and neck. An angiogram of the neck (carotid angiogram) can be used to look at the large arteries in the neck that lead to the brain. An angiogram of the head (cerebral angiogram) can be used to look at the veins or the four arteries (four-vessel study) carrying blood to the brain.

During an angiogram, a thin, soft tube called a catheter is placed into the femoral blood vessel (femoral artery) in the groin or just above the elbow (brachial artery). The catheter is guided to the head and neck area. Then an iodine dye (contrast material) is injected into the vessel to make the area show clearly on the X-ray pictures. The angiogram pictures can be made into regular X-ray films or stored as digital pictures in a computer.

An angiogram can find a bulge in a blood vessel (aneurysm). It can also show narrowing or a blockage in a blood vessel that slows or stops blood flow. An abnormal pattern of blood vessels (arteriovenous [AV] malformation) or abnormal vessels near a tumour can be seen.

See an illustration of the blood supply to the brain.

Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) and computed tomography angiogram (CTA) are being done instead of standard angiogram in many cases because these tests are less invasive and easier to do.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: March 9, 2007
Medical Review:	Kenneth B. Sutherland, CD, BSc, MD, FRCPC - Diagnostic Radiology Paul D. Traughber, MD - Radiology
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