The value of a portal study in determining the etiology of hepatic masses in the adult.

The intrahepatic portal system was studied by superior mesenteric angiography in 80 patients with hepatic masses. The portal study helped to identify the highly significant portal signs of malignancy (amputations, irregular stenosis, portal hypertension), and, among the malignant tumors, the specific signs of hepatoma (portal trunk amputation, ill-defined hepatographic lacunae, association of portal hypertension with proximal portal amputation). It is concluded that the intrahepatic portal study is essential in pretherapeutic staging. It is better than superselective hepatic arteriography in assessing the involvement of one hepatic lobe when a hypervascular tumor involves the other lobe, and it is indispensable if embolization is planned.