An Assessment of Angiography Used as a Diagnostic Tool in Obscure Intra Abdominal Masses

Background: When clinically it appears impossible to opine regarding the exact nature of the lump by routine and even sometimes special investigations, such lumps are designated as " Obscure intra abdominal masses".

Nature of study: A hospital based prospective study.

Objective: Obscure intra abdominal masses have been subjected to Abdominal aortography in an attempt to diagnose them.

Material and method: The procedure was carried out in patients of obscure intra abdominal masses who failed to be diagnosed even after routine and available special investigations and non-invasive procedures. Thus a total of twelve cases were included in this study. By using per-cutaneous trans femoral counter current abdominal aortography to locate the site of origin and nature of the obscure intra abdominal masses.

Results and significance of Aortography: Demonstrable aortographic changes had been noted in primary malignant retro-peritoneal tumours as well as malignant tumours of the viscera which had invaded the retroperitoneum. At the same time benign Mesothelioma had produced tumour staining while carcinoma of ascending colon and metastaic tumours had not produced any angiographic patterns.