Tests and scans
An angiogram is a type of x-ray that shows your blood vessels. A brain angiogram shows the blood vessels in your brain. It also shows how blood flows through them. A specialist doctor called a neuroradiologist injects a dye (contrast medium) and then takes x-ray images of your brain.
You might have this test to:
check the blood supply to a brain tumour
help plan surgery if you have a type of brain tumour called a meningioma
Find out more about meningioma
You usually go to the hospital on the morning of your test.
You should contact your healthcare team before your test if you:
have any allergies
think you might be pregnant or trying to get pregnant
are diabetic
They will explain any special instructions that might be needed before you have your test.
Take your medicines as normal unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you take medicines to thin your blood, you might need to stop these before your angiogram. Your doctor will tell you when to stop them.
You may have some tests before the brain angiogram. These might include a blood test and a heart trace test (). Your doctor or nurse will explain the tests you need.
You usually have a . But some people may need to have this test under a . This means that you can’t eat or drink for a few hours before the test.
Your doctor will tell you what type of anaesthetic you will have and when to stop eating and drinking. You usually have a letter to explain this with a contact number if you need to speak to someone beforehand.
You have the angiogram in the x-ray department.
When you arrive, you may be asked to fill out a checklist or questionnaire. Your doctor will explain the procedure and ask you to sign a consent form. They ask you questions about your medical history and any allergies. It's a good time to ask them any questions that you may have.
First, you change into a hospital gown. You will need to remove any jewellery, hair clips and make-up.
Your nurse or doctor may then put a small tube (called a cannula) into a vein in the back of your hand. This is so they can give you medicine to help you relax and feel sleepy if you need it. This is called sedation.
If you have a general anaesthetic, you are given this before the test in the anaesthetic room. It makes you fall asleep, so you are not awake during the test.
If you have local anaesthetic, you stay awake. The area is made numb, so you should not feel any pain.
Some people who have local anaesthetic might also have medicine to help them relax and feel sleepy. Not everyone has this, but if you do, you may not remember much about the procedure.
Your healthcare team will explain what is happening throughout.
You lie on your back, on an x-ray table. Your nurse will make sure you are comfortable. They drape sterile covers over you before they start. This helps to keep the area clean and reduces the risk of an infection. They might put your head in a special headrest.
The neuroradiologist cleans the area at the top of your thigh (groin) and gently gives you a local anaesthetic. This might sting at first but it will quickly numb the area. They might also shave the groin area and will let you know if they need to do this.
A needle is passed into an artery in the groin. They will then pass a very thin plastic tube (a catheter) through the needle into the blood vessel. The catheter is threaded up into the blood vessels that supply your brain. You might feel some pressure, but it should not be painful.
When the tube is in the right place the doctor injects the dye (contrast medium). They then take x-ray images of your brain. You might notice a metallic taste in your mouth or feel hot when you have the dye. This is normal and shouldn't last long.
You need to stay very still, but the test shouldn't hurt. It can take up to an hour in total. Let your nurse or doctor know if you feel unwell at any time during the test.
The doctor removes the catheter from your groin and presses firmly on this area for about 10 minutes. This helps to stop it bleeding.
You might feel a bit drowsy afterwards from the anaesthetic or if you had sedation.
You go back to the ward and lie down for a few hours after the test. This is usually between 4 and 6 hours. Your nurse checks your blood pressure and the injection site in your groin regularly. They check for any bleeding or swelling. You will have a dressing over the site.
In some hospitals, you need to stay overnight. This is so your nurse can continue to check your blood pressure and look for any signs of bleeding. In other hospitals, you may be able to go home later on the same day if you are feeling well. If you go home the same day you need someone to take you home and stay with you for 24 hours after you get home.
Take it easy and avoid anything strenuous for 48 hours after your angiogram. Your doctor or nurse will let you know how best to look after your injection site.
A brain angiogram is a relatively safe procedure. Your doctor or nurse will tell you who to contact if you have any problems afterwards. They will make sure that the benefits of having a brain angiogram outweigh these possible risks.
This is very rare. If there is heavy bleeding, put pressure on the area and go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department.
It's normal to have a small lump and some bruising on the injection site. If the lump gets bigger or your leg starts to feel numb, go to your nearest A&E department.
You might have a headache or feel tired afterwards.
Rarely, people have an allergic reaction to the dye (contrast medium). Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you have weakness, sweating and difficulty breathing. They can give you medicine.
The risk of a stroke is rare but it is serious. Your doctor will talk you through the risks of a stroke with a brain angiogram. Ask them any questions that you may have.
Exposure to radiation during a brain angiogram can slightly increase your risk of developing cancer in the future. This is rare, but it can help to talk to your doctor if this worries you.
Read about ionising radiation and cancer risk
You should get your results within 1 or 2 weeks.
Waiting for results can make you anxious. Ask your doctor or nurse how long it will take to get them. Contact the doctor who arranged the test if you haven’t heard anything after a couple of weeks.
You might have contact details for a specialist nurse who you can contact for information if you need to. It may help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you feel. You may want them to go with you to get the results for support.
We have more information on tests, treatment and support if you have been diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumour.
Last reviewed: 29 May 2026
Next review due: 29 May 2029
Find out about tests to diagnose cancer and monitor it during and after treatment, including what each test can show, how you have it and how to prepare.
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Primary brain tumours are tumours that start in the brain. They can start anywhere in the brain and there are many different types of tumours.
There are many different types of brain tumours. They are usually named after the type of cell they develop from.
Tests for brain or spinal cord tumours include scans to look at your brain and a test of your nervous system (neurological examination). Your doctor might also arrange some other tests.
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