As with MRA, the pictures are often quite good. Carotid Arteriography Occluded RT Carotid Artery Click on image for enlarged scan. That tube will slide inside the artery to the spot where the radiologist will inject an iodine-based dye. Digital subtraction is a special technique to take away bone and other confusing shadows so the dye in the vessels is even more visible. In other circumstances, the catheters are inserted directly into the carotid arteries.
Carotid arteriography does increase the risk to the patient.
The pictures are great, as good as they can be, but the test is still reserved for those very tough cases where all the information just doesn t come together. Though carotid arteriography is a very safe test with complication rates under a percent in most institutions, even when performed by an experienced radiologist with experienced technologists, it is not a test without significant risk. Find a radiologist near you. Join a live chat or threaded forum. CHAT Chat with Dr. Raymond about Radiology.