[Catheter cerebral angiography in little children. Review of 71 examinations on 59 children under the age of 7 years (author's transl)].
Although the role of the cerebral angiography in the diagnosis of the central nervous system disorders in children is well established, there exists some reluctance to perform angiography in little children, probably due to technical difficulties and possible occurrence of side effects. For the last several years, we have performed catheter cerebral angiography on children with various disorders of central nervous system utilizing Seldinger's transfemoral technique. Our technique has been described in detail with special reference to the dilator catheter and double replacement technique, and the results of 71 catheter angiographies on 59 patients under the age of 7 years have been reviewed. No neurological complication or systemic reaction to contrast medium was noted. Circulatory disturbance at the site of femoral puncture was occasionally noted. Transient circulatory disturbance of several hours' duration was not uncommon in this age group. There were three cases which developed thrombus formation at the puncture site with resultant successful thrombectomy utilizing balloon catheter. The causes of these complications were analysed, and the need for systemic heparinization or heparin coated catheter during catheterization in little children was stressed. Comparison was made with other methods of cerebral angiography applied to children. It has been pointed out that this is a relatively convenient and safe technique applicable to little children, in whom multivessel study is often needed.