Comparing the performance of mono- and biplane fluoroscopy systems in diagnostic and interventional neuroangiography using the dose-area product

Biplane digital imaging systems are favoured in neurointerventional practice since they are believed to contribute to safer, quicker and more efficacious procedures. Our aim was to establish if such equipment exposes patients to the same level of ionising radiation as monoplane systems. We reviewed monoplane and biplane fluoroscopy screening times and dose-area products (DAP) for 267 diagnostic cerebral angiograms and 56 neurointerventional cases. Significantly lower DAP for the latter were recorded on the biplane equipment, demonstrating an important reduction in patient exposure to radiation. There were no significant differences between the two systems for diagnostic cerebral angiography.