Cerebral angiography was performed by:
**Core Concept**
Cerebral angiography is a medical imaging technique that involves injecting a contrast agent into the blood vessels of the brain to visualize the cerebral vasculature. This diagnostic tool is essential for identifying vascular abnormalities, such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and stenosis.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is usually **B. Selective Catheterization**. To perform cerebral angiography, a catheter is inserted into the femoral artery, and then selectively guided to the cerebral vasculature using fluoroscopy. Once the catheter is in place, a contrast agent is injected to visualize the blood vessels on X-ray images. This allows for detailed visualization of the cerebral vasculature, enabling the detection of any abnormalities.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is incorrect because non-selective catheterization would not allow for precise visualization of the cerebral vasculature. A non-selective approach would result in a "blurred" image, making it difficult to identify vascular abnormalities.
* **Option C:** This option is incorrect because direct arterial puncture would be too invasive and is not a standard procedure for cerebral angiography. The procedure involves inserting a catheter through the femoral artery, not directly puncturing the cerebral arteries.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key aspect of cerebral angiography is the use of a contrast agent that is safe for intracranial injection. The contrast agent should be non-ionic and have a low osmolality to minimize the risk of cerebral vasospasm and other complications.
**Correct Answer: B. Selective Catheterization**