[Superselective catheterization of cerebral vessels].

Superselective catheterization of 213 cerebral vessels in 84 patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the brain was conducted by means of different designs of balloon catheters and catheters without balloons. The authors performed superselective contrast study of 48 vessels of the 2nd order, 120 vessels of the 3rd order, and 45 vessels of the 4th order. Catheters were introduced into 35 branches of the anterior cerebral artery, 124 branches of the middle cerebral artery, anterior villous artery, catheters, twin-lumen balloon catheters and balloons with two catheters, balloon catheters with an opening in the head end of the balloon or those in which the balloon was made airtight temporarily, and catheters without balloons were tested. The authors prefer catheters with an open balloon and those without balloons for superselective catheterization of afferent vessels of AVM and for subsequent intravascular thrombosis.