[Clinical assessment of rotational digital angiography for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether rotational digital angiography add new diagnostic informations concerning the localization and feeding artery of hepatocellular carcinoma.


METHODS
Rotational digital angiography was performed in 100 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. There are 70 males and 30 females, ranging in age from 40 to 81 years. At first, abdominal anterior-posterior digital subtraction angiography was performed in C-arm system using 12/9/7 inch I.I.-TV camera. After that, rotational digital angiography was carried out using SF-VA 100 system in all patients. In the processing of images, the pulse modes were taken during 360 degrees transverse rotation of the X-ray system at a speed of 4.8 sec. The pictures were displayed in real time on a CRT screen with high resolution, and 3 D images were observed.


RESULTS
New diagnostic informations concerning the localization and the feeding artery of the tumor were added in 20 patients using this rotational digital system. The tumors in segment 7/8 (n = 10) were clearly visualized by -90.0 degrees and 90.0 degrees to 135.0 degrees, while tumors in segment 4 (n = 5) were revealed by -45.0 degrees, 49.0 degrees and 60.0 degrees. On the basis of this information, segmental transcatheter arterial embolization could be performed.


CONCLUSIONS
The device has, therefore, been found to be of great value in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly for the feeding artery and the localization of the tumor.
Asato
T
T
Department of Radiology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.
Tajima
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction / Q000379:methods*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging