Epinephrine-infused CTHA for HCCs.

BACKGROUND

Changes in the relative arterial flow to hepatocellular carcinomas and adjacent normal liver with hepatic arterial epinephrine infusion were studied with CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA).

METHODS

Data from 31 pathologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinomas were retrospectively analyzed in 16 patients who simultaneously underwent CT during arterial portography (CTAP) and CTHA for examination of liver tumors and then CTHA with hepatic arterial epinephrine infusion.

RESULTS

Regarding visual analysis, tumor enhancement of hepatocellular carcinomas on CTHA after hepatic arterial epinephrine injection changed as follows: more clear in 83.9% (26/31), equal in 16.1% (5/31), and less clear in 0% (0/31). As for the quantitative analysis, CT attenuation value of hepatocellular carcinomas significantly increased after injection of epinephrine (mean increase from 225.8 to 333.9 HU; P < 0.0001, paired t test). The CT attenuation value of normal liver parenchyma around a tumor significantly decreased after injection of epinephrine (mean decrease from 101.1 to 84.6 HU; P < 0.0001, paired t test). The tumor-to-liver conspicuity significantly increased after injection of epinephrine (mean increase from 124.6 to 249.2 HU; P < 0.0001, paired t test).

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatic arterial epinephrine infusion changes the relative arterial flow of hepatocellular carcinomas.