Angiographic Evaluation of Pancreatic Disease

Abstract

Reappraisal of pancreatic angiography among 76 proved cases involving normal studies and those demonstrating pancreatic neoplasms and pancreatitis reaffirms conclusions drawn from a prior series from this institution. Differentiation of the normal and abnormal pancreas was accomplished in 92% of cases. Angiographic abnormality was present in 97% of pancreatic carcinomas and confident differentiation of carcinoma from pancreatic inflammatory disease was possible in 85% of cases. Subselective angiography, magnification techniques, and pharmacoangiography significantly improved diagnostic confidence and accuracy, particularly in patients with small tumors or pancreatitis. In addition to its diagnostic value, a major benefit of pancreatic angiography lies in its ability to predict tumor resectability in the majority of patients.