[False diagnosis of a splenic cyst. A report about arteriography in cystic lesions of the spleen (author's transl)].

A false diagnosis of splenic echinococcal cyst is reported. Angiographic criteria of this misleading lesion are compared with those of three cases with splenic cysts (two were confirmed surgically). Depending on the size of the cyst, spreading and dislocation of branches of splenic arteries as well as definitsmothly outlined parenchymal defects become visible. Surrounding parenchyma may be partially compressed. Calcifications of the cystic wall do not allow differentiation between primary and parasitic cysts. The Casoni test alone is not sufficient as a primary diagnostic tool as it is false positive often. Additional complement binding test for echinococcus is recommended.