[Superior and inferior cavography as well as azygography and retroperitoneal venography: methods, indications and results (author's transl)].

The diagnostic spectrum for venography of the trunk is broad. During the traditional superior and inferior cavography, which should be used for clinical bone marrow functional blockage in connection with a confirmed tumor or for thrombosis, the combined retroperitoneal venography and cavography which we developed for clinical use as well as direct azygography provide valuable supplementary information which can be significant especially for preoperative questions. In the case of carcinoma of the esophagus or stomach, the question whether or not the tumor can be surgically removed or whether the tumor is already inoperable may be answered before surgery. In addition, direct azygography is suitable as a method to seach for lymph nodes metastases in carcinomas of the lung, stomach, kidney, adrenals and pancreas which cannot be ascertained via mediastinalscopy, and for systemic diseases. In addition to the prognostic evaluation of the tumor and the additional preoperative evaluation of neighboring tumors, various bone diseases of the lumbar vertebrae, e.g., inflammatory, tumerous and traumatic changes in the spine, may be localized on the retroperitoneal venogram and cavogram. They can also be used successfully to seach for metastases or in the case of a dislocation of an intervertebral disk. The execution of the various methods is relatively simple and they may be performed on a patient capable of surgery.