TRANSCATHETER OILY CHEMOEMBOLIZATION OF THE INFERIOR PHRENIC ARTERY IN HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA - THE SAFETY AND POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC ROLE

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter oily che moembolization therapy (TOCE) via the inferior phrenic artery (IPA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with HCC underwent a total of 82 procedures of TOCE of the IPA, as we ll as of the hepatic artery, In 16 patients, additional extrahepatic c ollaterals were depicted and were also embolized in 10 patients, TOCE was performed with an emulsion of iodized oil and doxorubicin hydrochl oride, and gelatin sponge particle embolization was added in 32 patien ts,RESULTS: Initial response showed complete or partial remission of t he tumor in 31 patients. The cumulative survival rates after combined TOCE of the hepatic artery, IPA, and other extrahepatic arteries were 89% (6 months), 78% (1 year), 46% (2 year), and 30% (3 year), when cal culated from the time of IPA chemoembolization. Liver abscess and empy ema developed in one case of combined IPA and multiple intercostal art ery chemoembolization, There were no serious complications after IPA c hemoembolization alone. CONCLUSION: TOCE of the IPA has a potential th erapeutic role as a safe adjunct to TOCE of the hepatic artery in the management of HCC supplied by the IPA.