Why is cerebral angiography the "gold standard" for diagnosing cerebrovascular diseases?

Cerebral angiography is a medical imaging technique used to diagnose cerebrovascular diseases. It is a diagnostic examination using X-rays and contrast agents. The examination process involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel, injecting a contrast agent, and then irradiating it with X-rays. The contrast agent will flow with the blood and show the shape and structure of the cerebral blood vessels.

Cerebral angiography has the following characteristics:

1. Accurate diagnostic effect of contrast agents

Contrast agents play a vital role in cerebral angiography. They can enhance the contrast between blood and surrounding tissues, allowing doctors to see the details of cerebral blood vessels more clearly. By using contrast agents, doctors can accurately identify lesions such as vascular stenosis, blockage, and abnormal branches.

2. Accuracy and safety of angiography

Cerebral angiography is highly accurate and safe. With modern medical facilities and professional technical support, the accuracy of this examination can reach more than 99%. In addition, with the continuous advancement of technology, the risks of cerebral angiography have been reduced to a minimum.

3. Complexity of diagnosing cerebrovascular disease

The diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease often involves many complex factors. For example, certain symptoms may be caused by multiple causes, and the treatment of each cause may be different. Therefore, an accurate and reliable diagnosis method is essential to determine the treatment plan.

4. Comparison of angiography with other diagnostic methods

In the past few decades, many non-invasive examination methods such as CTA and MRA have been used to diagnose cerebrovascular diseases. However, these methods often do not provide images of the same quality and accuracy as cerebral angiography. In addition, these examination methods are usually not used for treatment decisions.

5. Cerebral angiography is widely used in clinical practice in the following situations

a. Determine the etiology and pathophysiological processes of cerebrovascular disease.

b. Develop an individualized treatment plan, including surgical and medical options.

c. Evaluate treatment efficacy and prognosis.

d. Monitor disease progression and recurrence.

In summary, cerebral angiography has become the "gold standard" for diagnosing cerebrovascular diseases due to its accuracy, safety and wide application in clinical practice. It not only provides high-quality images, but also provides doctors with detailed information about the disease, which helps to formulate the most appropriate treatment plan. Although there are other non-invasive examination methods, the accuracy of cerebral angiography and its application in treatment decision-making make it irreplaceable.

Author: Pei Jian

Deputy Chief Physician of Neurosurgery, Tangshan Workers’ Hospital