'Table step-shift DSA' for peripheral angiography

We developed a new technique of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for peripheral angiography, which make it possible to obtain DSA images of two contiguous positions with a single injection of contrast material. It is made by the combination with DSA system (Toshiba Digiformer X-03A) and the angio-table with step-shift function (Toshiba CAT-FX), which is widely used in the conventional angiography for pelvis and lower extrimities. When DSA image of the first position is sufficiently demonstrated, the table is semi-automatically translated to the second position by the switching of the operator, observing TV-monitor. The images are stored into the digital image disc. DSA image of the second position can be given by the remasking method. We examined 40 times ''table step-shift DSA'' on 18 patients, which consist of 19 IVDSA with central injection and 21 IADSA for abdomen and lower leg. In 90 % and 72.5 % of images the procedure was diagnostic for the 1st and 2nd position respectively. The causes of nondiagnostic image were mostly from the prolonged blood flow and its difference in both sides. With this technique we could reduce the contrast material load and the time consumption of the examination. (author)