Intraoperative angiography through the occipital artery and muscular branch of the vertebral artery: technical note.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative cerebral angiography has been known as a useful tool for diagnosing neurovascular diseases. There are few reports of intraoperative angiography in the prone position. Intraoperative angiograms through the occipital artery and muscular branch of the vertebral artery have not also previously been described. METHODS: The occipital artery or muscular branch of the vertebral artery was used for the intraoperative cerebral angiography. With retrograde catheterization of these arteries, the contrast medium (5 to 10 mL) was manually injected by a surgeon. RESULTS: Adequate angiograms were obtained with this method. No complications occurred with this procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative angiography through these arteries is useful, with good efficacy and safety, for a patient in the prone position.