Intravenous Cerebral Cone Beam Computed Tomography vs. Diagnostic Intraarterial Cerebral Angiography: A Cost Comparison

ABSTRACT Introduction Whilst intra‐arterial (IA) cerebral angiography is a well‐established diagnostic tool, the use of intravenous (IV) cerebral cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a comparatively new diagnostic method that is gaining popularity in the interventional neuroradiology (NIR) community. With the cost of healthcare being central to the delivery of modern medicine, this study aimed to further understand this shift by investigating the procedural cost of intravenous cerebral CBCT with IA cerebral angiography. Methods Retrospective cohort study of 40 patients imaged over a four‐month period in 2024, with total costs related to the patient encounter and procedure calculated. Results For each procedure, median cost was formulated from the combination of day procedure costs (where appropriate), capital equipment usage, staff wages, and consumables. The median cost for IV cerebral CBCT vs. IA cerebral angiography was AUD$187 vs. AUD$1290. Conclusion For all cases, the total procedural cost for IV cerebral CBCT was significantly lower than IA cerebral angiography. Additionally, there was a substantial reduction in periprocedural risk as well as the hospital resources utilised (beds and health care workers).