The continued value of angiography in planning surgical resection of benign and malignant hepatic tumors in children.

We assessed the accuracy of angiography or digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in diagnosing malignancy in hepatic tumors in children. In addition, these results were correlated with sonographic and computed tomographic findings of the liver in selected patients. Twenty-seven patients with primary liver tumors were examined with celiac or selective hepatic arteriography. Sonography was performed in 15 and computed tomography in 15 of the 27 patients. Angiographic criteria for malignancy or benignancy were established. These findings were correlated with computed tomographic and sonographic findings of the liver vascularity in selected patients. The final pathologic diagnosis was established surgically or by percutaneous biopsy. Sonography and computed tomography can be used as the initial procedure for evaluating tumor size, location and hepatic vascularity. However, the exact vascular anatomy demonstrated by angiography in children is more accurate and is often needed prior to surgical resection of primary liver tumors.