Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma fed by the reconstructed inferior phrenic artery: anatomical and technical analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate reconstructed patterns of occluded inferior phrenic artery (IPA) and determine the technical success rate and complications of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) fed by the occluded IPA through the anastomosing branch.


METHODS
In 19 patients, 24 IPAs, including two that had been previously embolized, were demonstrated through collateral pathways. The incidence of each collateral circulation was evaluated. Thirteen IPAs in 12 patients fed the tumor and TACE was attempted. TACE was performed only if the catheter could be advanced into the anastomosing branch so that the nontarget branches were avoided.


RESULTS
A reconstructed unilateral IPA was observed in 14 patients (11 right IPAs and three left IPAs) and two reconstructed IPAs were observed in five. The IPA was demonstrated through the dorsal pancreatic artery (n = 13), inferior or middle adrenal artery (n = 7), left gastric artery (n = 2), contralateral IPA (n = 2), lumbar artery (n = 1), and small branch derived from the celiac trunk (n = 1). Five IPAs (21%) were demonstrated through more than two separate arteries, including two demonstrated through both dorsal pancreatic arteries arising from the celiac and superior mesenteric artery. The IPA opacified through the lumbar artery had been previously embolized. TACE of the reconstructed IPA was possible in 10 of 13 IPAs (77%). Complications related to the procedure were a small amount of pleural effusion (n = 4) and basal atelectasis (n = 2).


CONCLUSIONS
The IPA is reconstructed mainly through the retroperitoneal anastomosing branch in the upper abdomen. TACE of the reconstructed IPA can be performed with a high success rate without major complications.
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kanazawa University, School of Medicine, Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan. s-miyayama@fukui.saiseikai.or.jp
Shiro
S
Miyayama
Osamu
O
Matsui
Keiichi
K
Taki
Tetsuya
T
Minami
Chiharu
C
Ito
Rieko
R
Shinmura
Shigeyuki
S
Takamatsu
Miki
M
Kobayashi
Kazuo
K
Notsumata
Daisyu
D
Toya
Nobuyoshi
N
Tanaka
Kazuto
K
Kozaka
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000098:blood supply; D000368:Aged; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001158:Arteries; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000601:surgery; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010179:Pancreas / Q000098:blood supply; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013270:Stomach / Q000098:blood supply; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D015251:Epirubicin; D016685:Mitomycin