Considerations for implantation site of VX2 carcinoma into rabbit liver.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether the implantation site of VX2 carcinoma into rabbit liver affects successful vessel selection for transcatheter arterial interventions.


METHODS
Twenty-four New Zealand White rabbits were randomly assigned to two groups. All implantations were performed by open laparotomy with minced tumor cells inserted into a 16-gauge Angiocath needle. Group I rabbits (n = 12) had tumor implanted into the left medial lobe of the liver and group II rabbits (n = 12) had tumor implanted into the left lateral lobe. Two weeks after implantation, selective angiography was performed for subsequent chemoembolization, which was part of a different study. Tested variables included maximum tumor diameter, tumor feeding artery size, and tumor vascularity.


RESULTS
Successful tumor growth was achieved in all rabbits. Selective angiography was possible in 33.3% of rabbits in group I and 66.6% of rabbits in group II (P < .05). Tumor size and vascularity were similar between groups. Mean lengths of tumor feeder arteries from the bifurcation of the left hepatic artery were 4.1 mm +/- 1.2 in group I (left medial lobe) and 10.8 mm +/- 3.0 in group II (left lateral lobe; P < .05). The angulation of the left medial lobar artery (group I) off the left hepatic artery was acute in eight of 12 rabbits (66.6%), but only four of 12 rabbits in group II (33.3%) showed acute angulation of the left lateral lobar artery off the left hepatic artery (P < .05). Mean angiography time was significantly shorter in group II.


CONCLUSIONS
For selective hepatic arterial interventions, the left lateral lobe of the liver may be favorable as an implantation site for VX2 tumors in rabbits.
Lee
Kwang-Hun
KH
Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Liapi
Eleni
E
Buijs
Manon
M
Vossen
Josephina
J
Hong
Kelvin
K
Georgiades
Christos
C
Geschwind
Jean-Francois H
JF
D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D000818:Animals; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007267:Injections; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011817:Rabbits