Angiography and ultrasound examination in the evaluation of pancreatic lesions.

Ultrasound and angiography of the pancreas were performed in 68 patients. Ultrasound reached an accuracy of 64.5 per cent and angiography 76.4 per cent. Both methods excluded disease of the gland in all patients without clinical evidence of disease at follow-up. Both methods had higher accuracy in the diagnosis of carcinoma than of pancreatitis. Although angiography has higher accuracy, ultrasound is recommended for screening of patients with abdominal pain. Because of the differential diagnostic difficulties, percutaneous fine-needle biopsy is recommended, when a pancreatic lesion is demonstrated. Angiography is used mainly to predict operability and prognosis.