Diagnostic Neuroradiological Interventions

Cerebral Angiography (Brain Angiography)

Cerebral angiography refers to angiography of the brain and neck vessels. At Liv Hospital Neuroradiology Clinic, the procedure is performed in the angiography unit. Under local anesthesia, a thin catheter is introduced from inguinal artery to give a contrast agent (a special medical dye) into the brain and neck veins and the images of these veins are obtained. Brain and neck veins are investigated for presence of stenosis, aneurysm (bubble), arteriovenous malformation or fistula (a ball of vessels or short circuit between artery-vein) or other problems. After angiography, the patient is discharged after 4-5 hours of rest (if there is no other condition requiring hospitalization). It is a convenient, quick and safe procedure in experienced and well-equipped centers.


 

Myelography

It involves injection of a contrast agent into the spinal cord (a special medical dye). In this way, after images are obtained in the x-ray device, the patient can also be taken to the tomography unit to extend the scope of the examination. This examination may be required due to problems such as kyphosis, curvature of the spine, problems that develop after lumbar surgeries and shifting in lower back.
 

Intrathecal Contrast Cisternography

This examination is applied in the case of CSF rhinorrhea (the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid through the nose or ear after accidents, some operations or interventions). The goal is to clearly identify the area where the fluid has escaped to and provide rapid repair. A special medical dye, called a contrast agent, is injected into the spinal canal. This dye is directed to the head neck region by positioning the patient and the leakage area is detected by MR or tomography.
 

Petrosal and Cavernous Sinus Sampling

It is a study performed in the case of Cushing's disease, which is characterized by excessive secretion of hormones by the pituitary gland. In cases where MRI does not provide clear information, it is used to determine the exact location where the hormone is secreted. In the angiography unit, under local anesthesia, a catheter is introduced through both inguinal veins to reach the pituitary gland veins, where blood samples are collected to conduct hormone analyses. Thus, the hormone secretion zone is determined to perform the operation in the most successful way.
 

Carotid and Vertebral Artery Occlusion Tests

In the event of an accident, a tumor extension in the head and neck region or an injury during surgery, the main arteries in the neck are injured and may need to be permanently closed. In such cases, the patient is at risk of developing a neurological sequelae (stroke). To eliminate this risk, before the closure procedure, a balloon is inflated in the artery planned to be closed in the company of brain angiography, and the patient is tested angiographically and clinically.
 

Discography

In pains of the spine due to disc degeneration, it is a test performed to detect the source of pain by injecting a medical dye into the intervertebral disc (cushions that serve as a shock absorber between the vertebrae, where lumbar or neck hernias develop if they slide).