Digital subtraction spinal cord angiography in patients undergoing thoracic aneurysm surgery

Thoraco-abdominal aortic replacement can be associated with a high incidence of paraplegia. Because the major source of blood supply to the thoraco-abdominal spinal cord is through the anterior spinal artery of Adamkiewicz, reimplantation of intercostal and lumbar arteries could reduce the risk of this operation. We used intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for preoperative localization of the anterior spinal artery in 12 patients. This vessel was successfully located in 9 patients, with DSA providing good quality images in all patients. Preoperative knowledge of the origin of this vessel was helpful in the planning of the operation in all patients, but its efficacy as a routine procedure was not established.