Biomedical subjects

R Lanocita

Publications and source records attributed to R Lanocita.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Intraarterial chemotherapy with polyoxyethylated castor oil free paclitaxel, incorporated in albumin nanoparticles (ABI-007): Phase I study of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and anal canal: preliminary evidence of clinical activity.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine the feasibility, maximum tolerated dose, and toxicities of intraarterial administration of paclitaxel-albumin nanoparticles in patients with advanced head and neck and recurrent anal canal squamous cell carcinoma. Antitumor activity also was assessed. METHODS: Forty-three patients (31 with advanced head and neck and 12 with recurrent anal canal squamous cell carcinoma) were treated intraarterially with ABI-007 every 4 weeks for 3 cycles. In total, 120 treatment cycles were completed, 86 in patients with head and neck carcinoma (median, 3 cycles; range, 1-4) and 34 in patients with anal canal carcinoma (median, 3 cycles; range, 1-4). ABI-007 was compared preliminarily with Taxol for in vitro cytostatic activity. Increasing dose levels from 120 to 300 mg/m2 were studied in 18 patients. Pharmacokinetic profiles after intraarterial administration were obtained in a restricted number of patients. RESULTS: The dose-limiting toxicity of ABI-007 was myelosuppression consisting of Grade 4 neutropenia in 3 patients. Nonhematologic toxicities included total alopecia (30 patients), gastrointestinal toxicity (3 patients, Grade 2), skin toxicity (5 patients, Grade 2), neurologic toxicity (4 patients, Grade 2) ocular toxicity (1 patient, Grade 2), flu-like syndrome (7 patients, Grade 2; 1 patient, Grade 3). In total, 120 transfemoral, percutaneous catheterization procedure-related complications occurred only during catheterization of the neck vessels in 3 patients (2 TIA, 1 hemiparesis) and resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Intraarterial administration of ABI-007 by percutaneous catheterization does not require premedication, is easy and reproducible, and has acceptable toxicity. The maximum tolerated dose in a single administration was 270 mg/m2. Most dose levels showed considerable antitumor activity (42 assessable patients with 80.9% complete response and partial response). The recommended Phase II dose is 230 mg/m2 every 3 weeks.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

[Percutaneous implant of Denver peritoneovenous shunt: a new opportunity for the interventional radiologist].

PURPOSE: The study is aimed at presenting our experience in the implant of Denver peritoneovenous shunts. Medical treatment-resistant ascites, either neoplastic or related to hepatic failure, is highly symptomatic and its treatment is indicated in order to improve patients' quality of life. One of the most efficient methods of treatment consists in implanting a peritoneovenous shunt. The availability of this device and its percutaneous implantation provide Interventional Radiologists with the possibility of expanding their repertoire. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirteen shunts were implanted in 12 patients, 10 with neoplastic ascites and 2 with hepatic failure-related ascites. In 1 patient a second device had to be implanted. All the procedures were performed in the Interventional Radiology Department, under local anesthesia and mild sedation. The central venous access was by the subclavian vein in 7 cases and the internal jugular vein in 6 cases. The puncture kit is consists of 2 needles, 1 for venous puncture and 1 for peritoneal puncture, 2 angiographic J-guide wires, 2 peel-away introducers, and a chamber containing the double valve-pump connected with both the venous and the peritoneal catheters. The whole device is placed subcutaneously thus allowing fluids to flow from the peritoneum to the vein either spontaneously, if intra-abdominal pressure exceeds 3cm of water, or by manual compression exerted on the pump itself. RESULTS: All implants were successfully performed. One transient complication occurred consisting in a mild inflammatory reaction along the subcutaneous catheter route, which promptly solved by antibiotic therapy. So far a total of 1773 catheter/days have been accumulated. 7/10 of the neoplastic patients died from progressive disease after 915 catheter/days (median 120, range 30-180). In a cirrhotic patient the first shunt occluded after 430 days due to hemoperitoneum caused by hepatic biopsy: it was removed and a new one implanted. Five shunts are in now use, with a follow-up of 30, 48, 70, 120 and 160 days each. DISCUSSION: The implanting technique was well tolerated by all patients and it could be performed under local anesthesia. The central vein puncture was easy for both accesses but the introducer diameter (12F) and the possibility of clavicle pinch-off induced us to use the internal jugular approach in the last six cases, which provided a reduced risk of pneumothorax and a better catheter track. In the patients with neoplastic ascites we observed neither disease dissemination nor changes in the patients' changed related to the shunt. Our results show that the implant of Denver venous-peritoneal shunts is a relatively easy procedure, which can be performed by Interventional Radiologists on a regular basis.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

First clinical experience with a high-capacity implantable infusion pump for continuous intravenous chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of a new high-capacity pump for systemic venous chemotherapy and to verify the quality of implantation by interventional radiology staff. METHODS: A total of 47 infusion pumps with a 60-ml reservoir and variable flow rates (2, 6, 8, or 12 ml/24 hr) were implanted by radiologists in 46 patients with solid tumor metastases requiring treatment with a single, continuously infused cytostatic agent. The reservoir was refilled transcutaneously, usually once weekly. The flow accuracy of the pump was assessed from actual drug delivery recorded on 34 patients over a minimum observation period of 180 days. RESULTS: No early complications occurred in any of the 47 implants in 46 patients. A total of 12 (25.53%) complications occurred between 3 and 24 months after implantation. Seven (14.90%) of these were due to the external design of the pump, while five (10.63%) were related to the central venous catheter. In the 34 patients available for pump evaluation (follow-up of at least 180 days), the system was used for a total of 14,191 days (range 180-911 days, mean 417.38 days), giving an overall complication rate of 0.84 per 1000 days of operation. The mean flow rate accuracy was 90.26%. CONCLUSION: The new implantable pump showed good flow rate accuracy and reliable operation. The pump-related complications were related to its external design and have now been corrected by appropriate modifications. From a radiologic and surgical viewpoint, the venous implantation procedure is identical to that of conventional vascular access devices and can be performed by radiologists familiar with these techniques. The current limitations lie in the high cost of the pump and, for certain drugs, the short time between refills.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Stereotactic breast biopsy: en bloc excision of microcalcifications with a large-bore cannula device.

OBJECTIVE: Breast calcifications pose a significant diagnostic and procedural dilemma. We evaluated en bloc stereotactic excision of indeterminate and suggestive microcalcifications for histologic diagnosis using a large-bore cannula biopsy device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 61 groups of microcalcifications removed with a large-bore cannula biopsy device from 59 patients (age range, 35-72 years old). The cannula diameter was 20 mm in 47 cases, 15 mm in nine cases, and 10 mm in five cases. The median lesion diameter was 6.6 mm (range, 4-17 mm). The procedure was performed by radiologists in an outpatient setting, with patients undergoing local anesthesia. All patients with a diagnosis of malignancy underwent surgery. RESULTS: In all instances, microcalcifications were removed in a single pass, in a single intact tissue specimen, through a maximum skin incision of 2 cm (0.8 inch). Twenty-five malignancies, 34 benign lesions, and two cases of lobular carcinoma in situ were identified. Sixteen malignancies were noninvasive and nine were invasive. No residual tumor was found at surgery in six of the 18 cases with involved margins and in five of the seven cases with uninvolved margins. One case of lobular carcinoma in situ with involvement of the margins additionally showed ductal carcinoma in situ at surgery. CONCLUSION: Mammographically identified microcalcifications are excised en bloc with the large-bore cannula biopsy device, providing a stereotactically localized tissue sample that is comparable with that obtained with open surgical biopsy and allows evaluation of the margins. This surgical radiologic procedure may represent a valid alternative, in selected patients, to conventional surgical biopsy after radiologic localization.

Biopsy↗

PubMed1998

Stereotactic excisional breast biopsy performed by interventional radiologists using the advanced breast biopsy instrumentation system.

The Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation (ABBI) system, which uses surgical cannulas up to 20 mm in diameter, is an alternative to conventional surgical biopsy for the diagnosis of non-palpable breast lesions. Since the need for radiological skill outweighs the surgical content of the technique, we evaluated the feasibility of complete management of the procedure by interventional radiologists. 35 of the 111 patients originally scheduled for the procedure were excluded, three because the lesion could not be visualized and 32 because of insufficient thickness of the compressed breast. The procedure had to be abandoned in one case due to a technical failure. 77 stereotactic excisional breast biopsy procedures were performed using the ABBI system in 75 patients with suspicious non-palpable mammographic lesions. The procedure was carried out under local anaesthesia in the radiology department, using a dedicated Lorad (R) radiographic system. 31 (40%) masses without calcifications, 11 (14%) masses with calcifications and 35 (46%) clusters of microcalcifications without tumour mass were sampled. 43 (56%) benign lesions and 34 (44%) malignant lesions were diagnosed. The overall mean diameter of the lesions was 8.7 mm (range 3-22 mm). All 34 patients with malignancies and lobular carcinoma in situ subsequently underwent surgery, the results of which are reported. Three (4%) haematomas were detected and aspirated percutaneously. Two technical problems occurred: an ABBI cannula malfunction, and a computer failure of the digital imaging system during the procedure. The average procedure time was 80 min and the cost of each procedure was 2,800,000 Italian lire (1555 US$). It is concluded that tissue sampling with the ABBI system can be performed entirely by radiologists without significant problems. The procedure was well tolerated by all patients. The quality of the biopsy specimen was identical to that of a surgical specimen but with the advantages of stereotactic precision for localization of the lesion.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

[Diagnosis of non-palpable lesions of the breast with stereotactic excisional biopsy with cannula. Advanced Breast Biopsy Instrumentation (ABBI) with fine diameter of 20 mm].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the advisability of use by interventional radiologists of the ABBI system for stereotactic biopsy in the diagnosis of mammographically detected nonpalpable breast lesions considered suspicious for cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Breast biopsy with the ABBI cannula, available in various diameters, was offered to 61 patients who gave their informed consent and was performed in 36. Reasons for exclusion were insufficient thickness of the compressed breast (37.5%), the lesion site (50%) and the failure to detect the lesion with stereotactic mammography (12.5%). The procedure was carried out under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. Fifteen nodules, 15 groups of microcalcifications and 6 nodules with calcifications were excised. The diameter of the ABBI cannula used was 20 mm in 32 cases and 15 mm in four cases. RESULTS: A definitive histological diagnosis was obtained in all cases, with the identification of 20 neoplasms (56%) and 16 benign lesions (44%). The lesions margins were involved in 14 cases of malignancy. All the patients with a diagnosis of malignancy underwent surgery. No residual tumor was found in five cases. The mean diameter of the lesions removed was 11-12 mm. The only complications were two late hematomas which were drained by simple percutaneous aspiration. The procedure was well tolerated by all patients except one who experienced a vagal attack due to emotional stress. CONCLUSIONS: Stereotactic breast biopsy with an ABBI surgical cannula can be carried out autonomously by interventional radiologists, safely and with diagnostic accuracy.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who undergo liver transplantation: sensitivity of CT with iodized oil.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of computed tomography (CT) after hepatic intraarterial injection of iodized oil in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients who underwent CT with iodized oil before orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) were evaluated prospectively. All patients underwent digital subtraction angiography and injection of iodized oil during chemoembolization. CT during arterial portography (CTAP) was performed in 34 patients. The number of neoplastic nodules was assessed in explanted livers and compared with the radiologic results. RESULTS: Sixty-six HCC nodules were present in the explanted livers. CT with iodized oil enabled correct diagnosis in 38 of 66 lesions (58%), and the results were false-positive in two lesions (3%). Digital subtraction angiography had a sensitivity of 67% (44 of 66 nodules) and CTAP had a sensitivity of 85% (45 of 53 nodules). Four (6%) false-positive diagnoses were made at digital subtraction angiography and three (6%) at CTAP. The diagnostic efficacy of CT with iodized oil was significantly related to lesion diameter greater than 2 cm (P < .0001) and hypervascularity (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: CT with iodized oil failed to provide any substantial information in the pre-OLT staging of HCC: It was inaccurate for small HCC nodules (<2 cm) and intrahepatic metastases. Its sensitivity matched that of digital subtraction angiography and was statistically significantly inferior to that of CTAP.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Placement of long-term central venous catheters in outpatients: study of 134 patients over 24,596 catheter days.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to investigate the feasibility of inserting long-term central venous access devices in outpatients using a simple technique that minimizes the risks of complications linked to venipuncture and errors in management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We placed 147 central venous catheters (CVCs) in 134 patients under local anesthesia. No sedation was used, and all procedures were done in our radiology department. Of the 134 patients, 101 patients were included in the follow-up. Overall follow-up of patients was 24,596 catheter days (mean, 243.52 days). Percutaneous access, mostly by the subclavian vein, was done by micropuncture technique under fluoroscopic guidance. Six CVCs were untunneled, 36 were connected to totally subcutaneous ports, and 105 were tunneled. RESULTS: The only immediate complication was pneumothorax (3%). Late complications, expressed per 1000 catheter days, included CVC breakage (0.12), vascular thrombosis (0.08), catheter occlusion (0.04), dislodgment (0.24), and local or systemic infections (0.40). CONCLUSION: Outpatient CVC placement is feasible because the procedure is not adversely affected when the patient is not hospitalized. The drawbacks are identical to those faced by inpatients. Improved materials and more extensive information on the management of patients with long-term CVCs would help reduce complications further.

Ambulatory Care↗

PubMed1996

[Transcatheter embolization in 39 cases of hyperactive arteriovenous malformation].

Hyperdynamic arteriovenous malformations are a relevant therapeutic problem because of the complexity and variability of their presentation. The incidence of this angiodysplasia is quite low, so that only few institutions have treated more than a few patients, which certainly does not help treatment optimization. The role that transcatheter embolization has gained during the last years has fostered growing interest in this method, even though surgery remains the treatment of choice. Transcatheter embolization is a highly effective treatment, which can ensure long-lasting, although rarely definitive, hemodynamic results. The authors report their experience in 39 patients affected with hyperdynamic arteriovenous malformations. The total number of percutaneous embolization sessions was 81. In 11 patients a preoperative treatment was performed 48 hours before surgery. In all cases polyvinyl alcohol particles were used, whose diameter ranged 250-500 micron. The results, with a mean follow-up of 53 months, are reported. In the 11 patients who underwent combined surgery plus embolization treatment, conservative surgical resection was radical in 73% of cases. As for the other patients, the result was substantial in 46% of cases, partial in 27% and modest or insignificant in 27% of cases. The total incidence of major complications was 6.2%. Our experience confirms that transcatheter embolotherapy, although yielding effective long-term results, has a mostly palliative role.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who undergo liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of chemoembolization (CHE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with a cirrhotic liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients with cirrhosis and 33 HCC nodules received a mean of 2.4 cycles of CHE before orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Iodized oil plus doxorubicin (13 patients) or mitoxantrone (eight patients) was injected into the hepatic artery. Twelve (57%) of the patients underwent terminal embolization with gelatin sponge pledgets. After OLT, the percentage of tumor necrosis was assessed in each HCC nodule. RESULTS: Twelve (36%) of 33 HCC nodules responded completely to CHE (necrosis > 90%). Successful treatment was statistically significantly related to nodular diameter greater than 2 cm (P = .03), solitariness (P = .0009), hypervascularity (P = .001), and good retention of iodized oil (P = .05). Seven (33%) of the patients had major complications; no death occurred in association with CHE. All patients survived OLT; in three patients (14%), HCC recurred a median of 21 months after OLT. CONCLUSION: CHE seems to be an effective treatment for HCC in patients with liver cirrhosis who await OLT.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗

PubMed1994

The Italian experience with SH U 508 A (Levovist) in breast disease.

The authors report their experience with color Doppler US of breast disease with a new parenteral contrast agent--i.e., SH U 508 A (Levovist)--in an international multicenter experimental trial. Over a 9-month period, 17 patients with 19 solid breast lesions were examined. A baseline color Doppler study was performed on every patient, together with a second exam after injecting the contrast agent into a peripheral vein to investigate possible changes in the depiction of tumor vessels, inside and around the lesions. The 19 nodules included 16 infiltrating ductal carcinomas, 2 fibroadenomas and 1 benign phylloid tumor. Levovist improved the depiction of tumor vessels in all cases and helped detect new vascular signals which had been missed on baseline images. The increase in color Doppler signal was graded as marked and mild: in 68.75% of ductal carcinomas and in the benign phylloid tumor signal increase was marked, while in 31.25% of carcinomas and in fibroadenomas signal increase was mild. All lesions exhibited vascular signals both inside and around the lesion; many afferent poles were also depicted. Our results demonstrate that conventional color Doppler semiology changes with the use of a contrast agent and pave the way for further studies on larger series of cases to assess new diagnostic criteria to differentiate breast lesions according to color Doppler signal patterns.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

US contrast enhancement with intra-arterial CO2 injection in the staging of hepatocellular carcinomas.

Liver US contrast enhancement was obtained with the intrahepatic arterial injection of CO2 in 45 hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Before digital subtraction angiography (DSA) all the patients underwent conventional US and CT of the liver; 20 patients also underwent CT during arterial portography (CTAP). Liver US contrast enhancement with CO2 exhibited the same sensitivity as DSA (92%) in demonstrating hypervascular HCCs and proved superior to the other diagnostic procedures -- 85% for CT and 78% for conventional US. DSA combined with echocarbography, with its 2D demonstration of liver anatomy, improved the correct staging of HCCs, for better treatment planning.

Angiography↗

PubMed1993

Color-Doppler ultrasound in ovarian masses: anatomo-pathologic correlation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In the radiologic assessment of ovarian masses, the major difficulty consists in the late recognition and lack of parameters for a differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lesions, especially in the post-menopause when the incidence of cancer is higher. The use of a transvaginal probe and the color-Doppler examination have recently improved the study of the female pelvis. This study is aimed to verify the possibility of the color-Doppler imaging to differentiate between malignant and benign ovarian lesions during transvaginal echographies, on the basis of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the vascular pattern of the ovarian lesions. RESULTS: Twenty-six expansive ovarian lesions were studied: 8/26 showed no vascular signals and were considered benign as confirmed at histology. In the remaining lesions with some vascularization, the resistance index (RI) was evaluated: those with RI > 0.40 were considered benign, those with RI < 0.40 malignant. In 8/9 benign lesions and 7/9 malignant neoplasms, the results of color-Doppler were coherent with histology. The results showed a sensibility of 87.5% and a specificity of 88.8% for the transvaginal examination. CONCLUSIONS: The main advantages of the color-Doppler transvaginal examination are: the high frequency of visualization of the ovaries, even in postmenopausal patients; the definition of small lesions; the visualization of small parenchymal vessels, both physiologic and pathologic, and their quantitative analysis. The importance of the RI cutoff was critical for the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lesions; we think that a cutoff of 0.50, instead of 0.40 proposed by other authors, would be far more appropriate.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Embolization and chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

A check on the rationale for embolization and chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma and a revisit to the background of the anatomy of blood supply to the liver is discussed. The technique of the embolization is different and mostly in the range of home made configuration. There is no data concerning the stability of different choices such as the popular mixture of cytotoxic agents and lipiodol. Therefore the authors have preferred the use of microencapsulated Mitomycin believing that this special formulation of the drug can attain the present best reproducibility. The survival of 32 treated patients was longer than the control group. Twelve, 36 and 60 month survival was 70%, 45% and 15% vs 37%, 0%, and 0% respectively.

Capsules↗

PubMed1992

[Combined use of real-time digital subtraction radioscopy and computerized tomography: potential advantages in diagnostic and interventional radiology].

The idea of combining fluoroscopy and CT arose from the daily practice in diagnostic and interventional radiology. A Diasonics OEC high-performance image intensifier complete with a digital subtraction system was connected to a Siemens Somatom-DRH CT scanner to work in tandem. CT is used for a localization in-depth and fluoroscopy for the subsequent maneuvers within an organ or body compartment. With this combination, complex procedures such as transarterial portography, percutaneous embolizations, pain treatment and manipulation for catheterization of the bile ducts and urinary tract could be performed in one place and in one session. CTF is especially useful when patients should not be moved about from room to room or undergo an examination in several sessions, as it happens with children or critically ill or contagious patients.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Does iodine concentration affect the diagnostic efficacy of biphasic spiral CT in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma?

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effect of iodinated contrast medium concentration on increased neoplastic lesion enhancement and its direct relation to diagnostic efficacy in biphasic spiral computed tomography for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: A pilot, single-center, randomized, double-blind, crossover, comparative study was performed and included 22 participants. Each patient underwent two separate biphasic contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomographic examinations. Scans were performed with iomeprol containing 400 (iomeprol 400) or 300 (iomeprol 300) mg of iodine per milliliter (Iomeron, Bracco Imaging SpA, Milan, Italy) with a 2- to 12-day window scan; patients were given an equal total dose of 45 g of iodine at a fixed injection rate of 4 mL/s. Comparison included assessment of quantitative and qualitative parameters. RESULTS: Lesion density and lesion-to-liver contrast increased more markedly with the higher concentration of contrast medium during the arterial phase (p = 0.0016 and 0.0005, respectively). There was no significant difference in any parameter between the two concentrations during the portal phase. Number of lesions detected during the arterial phase increased from 37 with iomeprol 300 to 42 with iomeprol 400; in the portal phase, the respective numbers were 34 and 36. CONCLUSION: Even though a small number of patients was examined, our study suggests that, in patients with cirrhosis, an increased concentration of iodine improves liver-to-lesion contrast and may improve the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Long-term infusion in cancer chemotherapy with the Groshong catheter via the inferior vena cava.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Vascular access through a vein draining into the superior vena cava is commonly used for long-term infusion of drugs inr cancer chemotherapy; prolonged cannulation of the inferior vena cava is generally considered as having an excessively high complication rate. METHODS: Prolonged cisplatin infusion via the inferior vena cava by means of a Groshong catheter was evaluated in 20 consecutive patients with thoracic malignancies showing evidence of superior vena cava infiltration or obstruction. RESULTS: We achieved 1,291 catheter days for our survey with a mean duration of vascular access of 64.5 days per patient and a mean duration of infusion time of 40 days. There were 2 complications, a catheter obstruction after a 7-day rest period and an ileo-femoral thrombosis 6 days after catheter placement. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience compared favourably with the results obtained by long-term central venous access via the supraumbilical route, and demonstrated the reliability and safety of this approach in cases where the superior vena cava cannulation is technically difficult or impossible.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Diagnostic imaging of liver metastasis].

The early diagnosis and monitoring of hepatic metastases are now achieved by different imaging modalities, some using ionizing radiations (computed tomography and angiography), some based on other energy sources (sonography and magnetic resonance), but all coming within the radiological area, which offers concrete possibilities of integration and the necessary organization. These modalities are sometimes used only for percutaneous histological samplings with minimal invasiveness. The progress in hepatic resective surgery and the possibility of orthotopic liver transplantation for some neoplastic histotypes, together with the alternatives provided by interventional radiology, have brought a continuous updating of the specialist' interest in the morphological and functional definition of hepatic metastatic disease, with the specific aim of choosing the best therapeutic strategy. Hepatic metastases have the greatest impact on the survival of patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms, especially colonic adenocarcinoma. Intraoperative sonography and CT arterial portography currently provide greatest diagnostic sensitivity in terms of spatial resolution but cannot be considered as methods of choice, the former for obvious reasons and the latter because of its invasiveness and complexity. The alternatives are to be sought in spiral CT and the new MR sequences which can undoubtedly provide a decisive improvement in the diagnostic standards currently available. Profoundly changed, but no less important, is the role of angiography, which still provides the anatomical support for hepatic surgery and the means for alternative treatments, such as chemoembolization and continuous infusional chemotherapy.

Angiography↗