Intraarterial digital subtraction angiography in detection of hepatocellular carcinoma

To evaluate the usefulness of intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA) in hepatocellular carcinoma, IADSA was prospectively performed, combined with conventional film-screen angiography, in 40 patients in whom the tumor was histologically proven or highly suspected. Of the 16 main tumors less than 2 cm, IADSA detected 7 that were missed by film-screen angiography; 6 of these were less than 1 cm in size. With other diagnostic modalities including ultrasound, routine CT study, and CT after intraarterial Lipiodol injection, the detection rate of these tumors was low. IADSA's contribution is important in the detection of small hepatocellular carcinomas.