Diagnostic hepatic angiography: Mass and diffuse disease

The advent of angiography heralded a new era in the evaluation of a wide spectrum of hepatic abnormalities. Tentative diagnosis of the nature of hepatic lesions, as well as valuable vascular anatomy, was now available preoperatively. Increasing experience with angiography brought forth reports of ''characteristic'' or pathognomonic features of different entities, promising a high degree of accuracy of angiographic diagnosis. Further experience led to the realization that angiographic findings were often not completely specific, and overlap could and did occur. The development of newer, noninvasive imaging techniques complemented by fine-needle biopsy has reduced the indications for diagnostic hepatic angiography. However, angiography frequently can provide valuable diagnostic information not available with other modalities. Familiarity with angiographic appearance of diseases affecting the liver can allow the radiologist to contribute significantly to the evaluation of these patients