Angiographic diagnosis of venous invasion with reference to liver metastasis of carcinoma of the colon

Angiography using Prostaglandin E1 was performed on thirty one cases with carcinoma of the colon in order to define the degree of venous invasion. Venous findings (occlusion and/or encasement) were classified into three groups: AG-V2, above mentioned venous findings up to marginal vein; AG-V1, these findings up to the vein of vasa recta; AG-V0, no distinct findings on the vein. 1) When angiographic findings were compared to histological findings of subserosal venous invasion, the results of AG-V2, AG-V1 and AG-V0 showed a positive correlation of 91.7%, 46.2% and 16.7%, respectively. 2) The angiographic findings were also correlated with the degree of fibrosis around carcinoma of the colon. 3) The incidence rate of liver metastasis in a group of AG-V2 was 50%. In AG-V1 it was 30.8% and in AG-V0 0%. 4) In the course of the postoperative follow-up, liver metastasis appeared in 2 cases of AG-V2 and AG-V1, respectively. The finding may suggest the existence of the liver metastases at the time of operation.