Angiography in the diagnosis of carcinoid syndrome

The diagnosis of carcinoid syndrome has been confirmed by selective abdominal angiography in a consecutive series of 18 patients. In eight patients the primary carcinoid tumour was removed before angiography. The primary lesion was demonstrated in eight of ten cases. Metastases from the carcinoid tumours was present in all 18 patients. All cases of mesenteric metastases and 12 of 14 cases with liver metastases were visualized by angiography. All but one of the liver metastases were highly vascularized and therefore easy to recognize, making angiography a good monitor in the control of medical therapy or in planning of surgical intervention.