Pleural and pulmonary staining at inferior phrenic arteriography mimicking a tumor staining of hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the findings of pleural and pulmonary staining of the inferior phrenic artery, which can be confused with tumor staining during transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of hepatoma.


METHODS
Fifteen patients who showed pleural and pulmonary staining without relationship to hepatic masses at inferior phrenic arteriography were enrolled. The staining was noted at initial TACE (n = 8), at successive TACE (n = 5), and after hepatic surgery (n = 2). The angiographic pattern, the presence of pleural change on computed tomography (CT), and clinical history were evaluated.


RESULTS
Draining pulmonary veins were seen in all cases. The lower margin of the staining corresponded to the lower margin of the pleura in 10 patients. CT showed pleural and/or pulmonary abnormalities in all cases. After embolization of the inferior phrenic artery, the accumulation of iodized oil in the lung was noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding the CT and angiographic findings of pleural and pulmonary staining during TACE may help differentiate benign staining from tumor staining.
Lee
D H
DH
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hwang
J C
JC
Lim
S M
SM
Yoon
H K
HK
Sung
K B
KB
Song
H Y
HY
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D004396:Coloring Agents