Diagnostic Cerebral Angiography

Catheter angiography is still considered the gold standard for imaging cerebral vasculature. Diagnostic angiography is also typically done as the first step during neurointerventional procedures. Mastery of diagnostic angiography is a prerequisite for neurointerventional training. Training standards formulated by the American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology (ASITN), the Joint Section of Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery, and the American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR) recommend the performance of at least 100 diagnostic angiograms before entering neuroendovascular training. This handbook authors' preference, however, is for a neurointerventionalist-in-training to perform at least 250 diagnostic cerebral angiograms prior to becoming the lead operator in neurointerventional cases.