Angiography versus computerized tomography

The diagnostic possibilities of computerized tomography (CT) in the field of hepatic, pancreatic and renal space-occupying lesions are described on the basis of personal experience, in comparison with the angiographic findings. Computerized tomography should precede angiography, because it is a non-invasive technique. The computerized tomography capability of screening liquid and solid space-occupying lesions is stressed. Liquid-containing lesions, particularly the small ones, do not usually require angiographic examination. In solid lesions, when computerized tomography recognizes the inoperability (regional involvement; metastatic spread) there is no need for angiography; when computerized tomography does not exclude operability, angiography is performed in order to assess or confirm the diagnosis; moreover it permits recognizing any other signs of inoperability (vascular involvement) not identified by the computerized tomography scan.