[Indirect (arterial) splenoportography and portography in intraphepatic block]

Morphology and flow dynamics in the lieno-mesentericoportal territory were investigated in 15 normal persons and 199 patients with pre/intra and intra-hepatic blocks. Indirect (arterial) splenoportography with selective catherization of the splenic artery provided angiograms varying between good and diagnostically useful in 98% of cases. With injection into the truncus coeliacus, this figure falls to 77%. The various types of collateral circulation are stated and discussed. The scope and limits of the methods are shown by comparative surveys between direct splenoportography and indirect splenoportography and portography, using 16 patients. As far as the chronological sequence of angiographical diagnostics in the intrahepatic block is concerned, the indirect method shall precede direct splenoportography, which shall only be employed if the indirect method of examination does not provide sufficient information, the patient has shunt capacity and an operation is to be performed immediately.