TRANSVENOUS RETROGRADE ANGIOGRAPHY FOR DETECTION OF PORTAL-CAUDAL CAVAL SHUNT

A retrograde angiography method for the detection of a portosystemic s hunt was studied. The retrograde angiography was done by compressing t he caudal vena cava in the chest by applying pressure to the thoracic cavity, then feeding a contrast medium into the caudal vena cava witho ut releasing the pressure loading. The angiography could detect shunt vessels in experimental cases as well as clinical cases. This method i s useful for the confirmation of a portal-caudal caval shunt, which ca n be performed without technical difficulty and without the need for a special kind of catheter.