Intravenous digital subtraction angiography (i.v. DSA) - an almost non-invasive imaging procedure - makes it possible to visualize the vascular topography of the upper abdominal region, with the parenchyma of spleen and kidney, simultaneously with bony structures (spine) in a frontal view. With the aid of a subtrascope, spleen and kidney and the vascular topography can be directly superimposed on a simulation film. By this procedure an individual target volume can be delineated. From December 1985 to December 1987, planning procedures for 44 treatment regimens were evaluated using i.v. DSA. With reference to the determination of a precise and individual target volume, DSA-assisted treatment planning was found to be superior to non-individualized standard definitions.