THE ANGIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF SPLENIC MASSES.

Splenic angiography is helpful in detecting the presence of intrasplenic masses. The angiogram, however, does not permit differentiation between malignant and benign processes. Since all these lesions whether benign or malignant are avascular, the only angiographic features seen are draping of branches of the splenic artery around them and the presence of lucent defects during the splenogram phase. Angiography helps, however, in distinguishing a process which originates in the spleen from one which only secondarily invades this organ. During the splenogram phase, the presence of sharp lips of normal parenchyma around a mass is indicative of intrasplenic origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]