Transient global amnesia after cerebral angiography. Report of seven cases
J. W. Cochran, F. Morrell, M. S. Huckman and E. J. Cochran
Because of a case of typical transient global amnesia following cerebral
angiography, the records of all patients undergoing cerebral angiography
during a seven-year period were reviewed. Six other cases were discovered.
All patients had either transfemoral catheter or brachial angiograms
performed immediately before the development of amnesia. Spasm of a
vertebral artery was noted in one case. None had clinically obvious
seizures. All recovered within 24 hours. This only recently reported
complication of cerebral angiography is consistent with a vascular etiology
of the syndrome of transient global amnesia when not associated with
angiography, although a direct toxic effect of the contrast material cannot
be excluded.
