Redistribution of multiple hepatic arteries into a single hepatic artery to perform repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND

In patients with two or more intrahepatic arteries, multiple intrahepatic arteries should be converted into a single intrahepatic artery before repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. However, the number of reports investigating this has been scanty.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the usefulness of the redistribution of multiple hepatic arteries into a single hepatic artery for repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) through an indwelling port-catheter system for unresectable liver malignancies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In 76 patients with unresectable advanced liver cancer, redistribution of multiple hepatic arteries into one hepatic artery was performed prior to port-catheter system implantation. Investigated were distribution in the liver, as evaluated with computed tomography (CT) during arteriography via the port after implantation, and management of cases in which distribution in the entire liver was not achieved.

RESULTS

In 64 patients, good distribution in the entire liver was confirmed on CT arteriography via the port. In the remaining 12 patients, contrast material was heterogeneously distributed. The segments with poor distribution were segments VI, VII, VIII, and I. In the five patients with tumors in segments having poor distribution, the right inferior phrenic artery was successfully embolized and good distribution throughout the entire liver was thereafter achieved in all five.

CONCLUSION

In cases with multiple hepatic arteries, redistribution procedures allow application of repeated HAIC through a single indwelling catheter while maintaining distribution over the entire liver. However, care regarding hepatopetal flow of the right inferior phrenic artery is necessary.