Microangiography

Microangiography (US dict: mī′·krō·ăn′·jē·ŏg′·rə·fē) is a recently developed type of angiography that consists of the radiography of small blood or lymphatic vessels of an organ. While most other types of angiography cannot produce images of vessels smaller than 200 µm in diameter, microangiography does just that. A microangiographic image is the result of injection of a contrast medium into either the blood or the lymphatic system and, then, enlargement of the resulting radiograph. Thus, an image is obtained in which there is contrast between vessel and surrounding tissue. It is often used in order to detect microvascular lesions in organs. But, it has been suggested that microangiography can also be used to detect tumors through visualization of tumor-induced small blood vessels. This is because tumor growths require vascularization before they can develop more rapidly. A few of the commonly used types are fluorescent, silicone rubber, and synchrotron radiation microangiography.