Arterioportography.

Arterioportography has superseded splenoportography which has given inadequate and at times misleading information. Eighty-two arterioportograms have been done in 78 patients with portal hypertension. The arterial phase may disclose malignancy, pancreatitis, diminished liver perfusion and the venous phase flow reduction, occlusion and the presence of thrombus. Arterioportography should provide evidence of suitability for specific shunts and features relevant to the performance of of a mesocaval or distal spleno-renal shunt are given in detail. An attempt is made to relate arterioportography and transhepatic portal catherisation into a combined function in the management of patients with portal hypertension.