[Epiploic arteries. Normal and pathological radiological appearances (author's transl)].

The blood supply of the greater omentum was studied using selective digestive angiography in 450 cases. Comparison of the radiology and the anatomical appearances showed that their are two independent systems, right and left, the size of which is variable from one subject to another. These blood supplies are united by variable anastomoses which are difficult to demonstrate by arteriography. However, the classical anastomotic arterial circle of the greater curvature, between the right and left gastro-epiploic arteries was never found. The pathology of the greater omentum is of two types: Tumoral pathology: the demonstration of epiploic metastases is the most frequent finding in pathological cases. Its practical and prognostic importance is very great for it contra-indicates laparotomy. Associated pathology: the greater omentum reacts to any infective or neoplastic process of the abdominal cavity, such as "sentinel loop". These topographic changes should orient analysis of the films towards a given region and lead one to suspect some disease yet undiagnosed or not very obvious on arteriography.