[Value of superior angiocardiography in the evaluation of the surgical excision of bronchial cancer. Respective role compared to thoracic x-ray computed tomography].

The place of angiography-superior vena cavography in the assessment of the resectability of a lung cancer must be defined in comparison with the data provided by thoracic computed tomography. Sixty-six patients with proximal lung cancers of doubtful resectability were studied by means of angiography and computed tomography and the results of these preoperative investigations were correlated with the operative findings. The sensitivity of these two examinations for the diagnosis of vascular invasion preventing pulmonary resection is poor (53% and 47% respectively). The specificity and positive predictive value of angiography appear to be slightly superior to those of computed tomography (Sp: 96% and 82%, PPV: 78% and 47%, respectively). The diagnostic performance of these two examinations remains poor. Magnetic resonance imaging may replace these two examinations in the future.