Use of 99mTc-labeled albumin microspheres in cerebral vascular disease.

The intracarotid injection of radioalbumin microspheres (15 and 30 mum) is followed by scanning procedures that permit the description of the cerebral bloodflow distribution. The method is reproducible. Injection can be made into the internal and common carotid arteries, as well as into the aortic arch or the left ventricle. This last procedure makes it easy to examine patients with severe extracranial vascular stenosis or thrombosis and permits comparison of the two hemispheres. Most patients (88%) injected on the affected side showed one or more local vascular deficits. The method therefore is more efficient than pertechnetate scanning or arteriography.