Diagnosis and evaluation of diseases of the hand by intravenous digital subtraction angiography done by an improved method

Twenty patients with various diseases of the hand were studied by intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV-DSA). We used clay preparation as a compensatory filter to improve the radiological conditions and increased local circulation by use of a hot compress. By IV-DSA done in this way, excellent or good images of the carpal arteries were obtained in 21 of 23 hands examined (91%). For the metacarpal region, images were excellent or good for 13 hands (57%), and for the digital region, for 4 (17%). The arteries of the hand could be seen in all studies, although sometimes the image was poor. Further improvements of images by IV-DSA should make it possible to use IV-DSA for screening and follow-up studies of many parts of the body. (author)