fluorescein angiography

angiography

radiological demonstration of certain areas of the vascular system by the injection of a radiopaque solution (arteriography, lymphangiography or phlebography).

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brain angiography

radiography of the cranium after the intravenous injection of a radiopaque substance. An area of poor vascularity indicates the presence of a space-occupying lesion in the brain.

fluorescein angiography

intravenous fluorescein can be visualized in retinal and iris vasculature with the use of blue filters and direct or indirect ophthalmoscopy or photography. See also vitreous fluorophotometry.

nonselective angiography

injection of contrast material into a regional vessel or the general circulation.

orbital angiography

contrast study of the arteries of the orbit, particularly the malar, infraorbital, maxillary and dorsal orbital, using the infraorbital artery for injection of a suitable medium.

pulmonary angiography

demonstration of pulmonary veins and arteries by introduction of contrast material into the jugular or cephalic vein or via a catheter positioned in the pulmonary artery.

renal angiography

outlines renal blood flow, usually via a catheter introduced into the femoral artery and passed retrograde into the aorta to the vicinity of the renal arteries.

selective angiography

placement of the catheter in the vessel or heart chamber being studied in order to provide the best possible contrast study of the suspected lesion.

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angiography, fluorescein 

A technique aimed at observing the vessels of the fundus of the eye and iris by using photography following the intravenous injection of fluorescein. It is a useful technique, which facilitates the diagnosis of various retinal (e.g. diabetic retinopathy, retinal artery occlusion, retinal vein occlusion, age-related maculopathy), choroidal (e.g. tumour of the choroid) and iris disorders. Those of the choroid and iris are more difficult to observe. See choroidal; diabetic retinopathy flush.

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fluorescein angiography

Ophthalmology A technique used to diagnose chorioretinal disease, based on the enhancement of anatomic and vascular details in the retina after IV injection of fluorescein, a dye; FA is used to evaluate retinal disease–it delineates abnormal areas, and demonstrates defects–eg, choroidal neovascularization, proliferatrive diabetic retinopathy, and light toxicity, and can be used to plan laser therapy for vascular lesions of the retina. Cf Retinopathy.