DSA evaluation of the STA-MCA bypass.

Continuing improvements in intravenous DSA techniques have now shown it to be useful in the angiographic evaluation of STA-MCA bypass function. Both patent and non-patent bypasses were observed in this study. Diagnostically adequate spatial resolution and signal to noise ratio were achieved by electronic magnification and integration techniques. Patient positioning was important and the projection which gave optimal visualization of the STA-MCA bypass, free of vessel overlap, was a 40 degrees oblique, 20 degrees craniocaudal view on the side of interest. Intravenous DSA can complement, and in some cases may supplant, conventional arteriography in the radiologic evaluation of STA-MCA bypass surgery.