[Opacification of the aorta in arteritis of the legs. Dilemma or false problem?]

Recent advances in therapy: angioluminal dilatation, fibrinolysis, microsurgery, require precise arterial visualization, to include the aorta, to prevent lack of recognition of an embolus of aortic origin. The new techniques for vascular visualization have modified the algorithm of exploration of an arteritis of lower limbs. Ultrasound and CT scan imaging are effective but do not exclude the use of angiography before deciding therapy. Digital subtraction venous angiography is insufficiently precise for aortic exploration but is a good method for diagnosis of peripheral artery lesions. Digital subtraction arterial angiography is perhaps the method for the future but it requires multiple injections. A place still exists for traditional aortoarteriography for exploration of lower limb arteritis, at least for patients under 65 years of age and in good general condition.