Hepatic arterial embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. Comparison of CT scans and resected specimens.

Transcatheter hepatic arterial embolization (THAE) was performed in 18 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the final CT scans (with and without contrast enhancement) compared with the resected specimen after a short interval (9.8 days +/- 9.9 S.D.). The necrotic area observed histologically corresponded closely to the constant low-density area seen on the CT scan (r = 0.959) in all but 2 cases. The authors conclude that CT closely reflects gross anatomical changes and is useful in assessing THAE as well as deciding if and when embolization should be repeated, especially in patients with negative serum alpha-fetoprotein.