Portal embolization in various types of liver: novel variables to predict hypertrophy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the hypertrophic effect of portal embolization in various types of liver and clarify useful variables, for predicting efficacy of portal embolization.


METHODS
Portal embolization was performed for 46 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 30), biliary tract cancer (n = 9), or metastatic liver tumors (n = 7). The hypertrophic effect of portal embolization in relation to diseases, clinical liver conditions, histological fibrosis, and liver function were examined.


RESULTS
The hypertrophic effect of portal embolization was impaired in the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, chronic hepatitis/cirrhotic liver, and advanced liver fibrosis. ICGR15 (indocyanine green dye retention rate at 15 minutes) was revealed to be an independent adverse predicting factor. Especially in hepatocellular carcinoma patients, platelet count was significantly correlated with the hypertrophy ratio. In patients who underwent major hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma, not only the incidences of posthepatectomy liver failure but also survival rate were similar between patients with and without portal embolization, although patients with portal embolization originally had a limited liver function.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative portal embolization made major hepatectomy possible in hepatocellular carcinoma patients, although portal embolization was less effective compared with other diseases. ICGR15 and platelet count may be novel variables to predict the hypertrophic effect of portal embolization in all and hepatocellular carcinoma patients, respectively.
Kaido
Toshimi
T
Department of Surgery and Surgical Basic Science, Kyoto University School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. kaido3@hotmail.com
Arii
Shigeki
S
Shimada
Yutaka
Y
Mori
Akira
A
Imamura
Masayuki
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001661:Biliary Tract Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology