Importance of angiography in the diagnosis of atypical epigastric disorders

The potential and importance of angiographic examinations are analyzed in clinical differential diagnosis of patients with atypical epigastric complaints. In congenital anomalies of the tripus Halleri arteries the examinations do not make it possible to assess hypoperfusion of the epigastric organs. Based on published data, frequent disagreement is pointed out between clinical symptoms and pressure gradients of intravasal angiographic stenoses of the trunk of the coeliac artery found during surgery. From hitherto assembled results it may, however, be expected that two-dimensional Doppler ultrasonic evaluation of the blood flow through the blood vessels will contribute to objectivization of the assessment of the blood supply of the epigastric organs. The noninvasive examination can be also used during organs activity or after the administration of drugs. (author). 2 figs., 10 refs