LIVER PARENCHYMAL CHANGES AFTER TRANSCATHETER ARTERIAL EMBOLIZATION THERAPY FOR HEPATOMA - CT EVALUATION

We retrospectively reviewed computed tomographic (CT) findings of 118 patients with hepatoma who received sequential follow-up CT after tran scatheter arterial embolization (TAE). Thirty-five patients received T AE using Gelfoam particles with cisplatin, 37 patients using Gelfoam p articles and iodized oil (Lipiodol) with cisplatin, and 46 patients us ing iodized oil with cisplatin. Liver atrophy was observed in 33 patie nts, lobarly or focally, depending on the embolized area. It was frequ ently associated with portal vein occlusion by the tumor, usage of iod ized oil, and repeated embolization therapy. The lobar atrophy was see n in patients who had portal vein occlusion and/or received repeated e mbolization therapy. The focal atrophy was observed in patients who we re administered iodized oil. Infarction developed in four patients who had a thrombus in the portal vein and received peripheral embolizatio n therapy using iodized oil. We conclude that liver parenchymal change s occur frequently in patients who have portal vein occlusion and/or r eceive peripheral embolization using iodized oil.