[Radiological methods in arteriosclerosis obliterans].

Abstract

Of the X-ray methods for the demonstration of disturbances of the blood supply only the angiography is of practical importance. The proof of vascular calcium on so-called X-ray pictures of the soft parts informs about wall processes, but says absolutely nothing about a disturbed flow. The diagnosis of an obliterating vascular disease is still successful on the extremities with the help of the simple clinical means of pulse palpation, auscultation, measuring of the blood pressure with comparison of the sides, particularly when load methods are included. But the angiography is the only diagnostic method which makes recognizable localisation, extension and degree of obliterating changes intra vitam. Nevertheless it stands at the end of a diagnostic chain and, as far as the ischaemia of the extremities is concerned, it is absolutely indicated only as preoperative method. The development of newer therapeutic methods by means of the saving catheter technique for the restoration of the vascular system is described in short and outlined in its tendencies.