Selective angiography in the diagnosis of hydatid disease of the liver.

Six cases of cystic hydatid disease of the liver studied by selective angiography are described. In three of these a very characteristic triad of signs was demonstrated. In the fourth case, where the cysts were relatively small and restricted to the left lobe of the liver, no angiographic abnormality and could be found although the diagnosis was strongly suspected clinically. In the fifth case, where the cyst had virtually extruded itself from the liver and had undergone chronic leakage, the findings were atypical. The sixth patient had an old heavily calcified, non-symptomatic cyst, and here the angiographic findings were unremarkable. We believe that these cases illustrate the great value of selective angiography in this condition and some of its limitations.