Cerebral angiography

Infants and children:

The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age, previous experiences, and level of trust. For general information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:

Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
Schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How the test will feel:

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The x-ray table may be hard and cold, but you may ask for a blanket or pillow. There is a brief sting when the local anesthetic is given. This does not numb the artery, so there will be brief, sharp pain as the catheter is inserted into the artery. There is a slight feeling of pressure as the catheter is advanced.

As the dye is injected, there may be a warmth or burning sensation. You may experience a slight headache or feel flushed on the side of the face. There may be slight tenderness and bruising at the site of the injection after the test.

Why the test is performed:

The test is most frequently used to confirm cases of stroke, tumor, bulging of the artery walls, a clot, a narrowing of the arteries, and to evaluate the arteries of the head and neck before a corrective surgery. It is used to get more exact information after something abnormal has been detected by an MRI or CT scan of the head such as bleeding within the brain.