Here's a quick primer on the different types of angiography, you can subsitute the word venogram/venography for angio (ANGIO = arteries, VENO = veins)
Angiography uses one of three imaging technologies and, in some cases, a contrast material to produce pictures of major blood vessels throughout the body.
Angiography is performed using:
- x-rays with catheters
- computed tomography (CT)
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
In catheter angiography, a thin plastic tube, called a catheter, is inserted into an artery through a small incision in the skin. Once the catheter is guided to the area being examined, a contrast material is injected through the tube and images are captured using a small dose of ionizing radiation (x-rays).
1eye is right, a venogram (meaning a catheter venogram) is the gold-standard for evaluating veins. It is done with a puncture in the femoral artery in the thigh, and a wire and/or balloon is threaded up to the veins in the neck. the doctor watches your veins under a "live" xray. The type of dye used for venography is very different from the type of dye used in MRVs.
xray venography uses and xray dye that could possibly
result in a severe allergic reaction. MRVs use a type of contrast dye called gadolinium which has a much lower possibility of allergic reaction, although people with compromised kidney function should not have either type of dye. And unfortunately, they aren't interchangable!!
for more info: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=angiocath