[Diagnosis of the site of insulinomas: percutaneous transhepatic portal vein catheterisations with selective blood sampling for hormone determination (author's transl)].

Percutaneous transhepatic portal vein catheterisation with blood sampling from the various areas of drainage, especially the pancreatic veins, was undertaken in seven patients with insulinoma to diagnose its site. In six patients measurement of serum-insulin levels revealed an abrupt rise in the vascular area later found to drain the area of the insulinoma. Insulin measurement in one patient with insulinoma in the head of the pancreas falsely indicated an islet-cell tumour in the region of the tail of the pancreas. C-peptide concentration in serum followed the concentration of insulin, but did not show such a marked rise. The method of percutaneous transhepatic portal vein catheterisation with selective blood sampling for the measurement of hormonal concentration was superior to ultrasound, computer tomography or coeliacography for determining the site of the tumour.