Hepatic angiography in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease

Liver angiography was performed in 13 patients with Crohn's disease and three with ulcerative colitis. Of these patients, 13 underwent liver biopsy, and findings were correlated with results of angiography and biochemical tests. Twelve liver biopsies were abnormal, primarily showing fatty infiltration and reactive hepatitis. Thirteen angiographies were abnormal, with widened and tortuous liver arteries being the most common finding. Liver function tests were within normal limits for all but three of the 16 patients, thus correlating poorly with findings of the other tests. These data show that angiography is useful in detecting hepatic abnormality, but evaluation with liver biopsy is necessary to determine the nature of the lesion.