Scanning electron microscopy study of the blood supply of human colorectal liver metastases.
OBJECTIVE
The failure of hepatic artery directed treatment of colorectal liver metastases may reflect a major portal venous contribution to tumour blood supply. This study provides ultrastructural details of the blood supply of colorectal liver metastases and their association with the portal vein and hepatic artery.


METHODS
Resected liver specimens from six patients with colorectal liver metastases were examined by histology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), following vascular resin casting.


RESULTS
Nine metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas were identified. The main feature of all tumours on SEM was direct communication between hepatic sinusoids and tumour vessels. A direct portal venous connection with tumour vessels was observed in a single specimen, whilst a direct arteriole connection was not identified.


CONCLUSIONS
It appears that both the hepatic artery and portal vein contribute to the blood supply of colorectal liver metastases through sinusoidal connections with tumour specific blood vessels. SEM provides useful additional information on the morphological features of tumour vasculature.
Nikfarjam
M
M
Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia. surgery-armc@unimelb.edu.au
Muralidharan
V
V
Malcontenti-Wilson
C
C
Christophi
C
C
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000556:secondary*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000556:secondary*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning