MAGNETIC-RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY OF EXPERIMENTAL CEREBRAL VASOSPASM

The purpose of this study was to observe spastic cerebral arteries by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and to establish acetazolamide re activity of these vessels, After control studies using MRA and convent ional angiography, subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) was induced on day 0 in 7 Japanese monkeys, MRA and conventional angiography were then rep eated on day 7 to observe the development of cerebral vasospasm, React ivity of cerebral vessels to acetazolamide was also studied in both co ntrol animals (angiography before SAH) and on day 7 after SAH, Cerebra l vasospasm was detected by both conventional angiography and MRA on d ay 7, The arteries on the side of the clot were more spastic than thos e on the control side, MRA was superior to conventional angiography in demonstrating dilatation of both control arteries (before SAH inducti on) and vasospastic arteries (on day 7 after SAH) after administration of acetazolamide. (C) Pearson Professional Ltd 1997.