The use of digital subtraction angiography in evaluating pulmonary abnormalities in children.

In nine cases of pulmonary lesions in children, the diagnostic procedure of digital subtraction angiography was used with minimal invasiveness. Vascular anatomy was additionally confirmed by angiocardiography in four cases. One patient had a thoracotomy with removal of a nonvascular mass, whereas the other four patients, based on information provided by the digital subtraction angiogram, continued to be followed clinically. Using a peripheral vein for injection, intravenous subtraction angiography proved to be a satisfactory method of evaluating pulmonary vascular lesions and provided considerable information. Although other imaging modalities, including angiocardiography, computerized axial tomography scanning, or radionuclide studies, may be necessary for confirmation of the diagnosis, digital subtraction angiography should be considered in the work-up of pulmonary abnormalities in the pediatric patient. Five of the nine case studies are presented as appropriate examples.