Since the steal syndrome was first described, many symptoms have, rightly or wrongly, been ascribed to this. The classical steal syndrome, as described by Revich et al for the subclavian artery, produces special nutritional effects, but these are also found in other vascular territories, particularly when the unpaired branches of the abdominal aorta are involved. The abnormal haemodynamics in a circumscribed arterial territory can be demonstrated radiologically before the full syndrome has developed. It would therefore be more precise to speak of a steal phenomenon or steal effect depending on whether there are objective or subjective changes.