Influence of selective arterial and venous hepatic perfusion on the effectivity of laser induced thermotherapy of liver metastases

Background: This experimental study in an animal liver metastasis model (ad enocarcinoma) investigated the influence of arterial and venous hepatic per fusion on the lesion size and tumor response in laserinduced thermotherapy of liver metastases (LITT). Methods: An intrahepatic adenocarcinoma was implanted in 75 rats. The tumor s were treated with LITT (Nd:YAG-Laser, 1064 nm, 1200 J) after selective oc clusion of hepatic artery, portal vein or application of degradable starch microspheres. Results: Tumor growth was found in all animals of the control group but in only 1/15 animals after application of starch microspheres and after comple te interruption of hepatic perfusion (arterial and venous). Conclusion: These results demonstrate that the application of starch micros pheres led to a significant increase in the hyperthermic effect of LITT, co mparable to the complete occlusion of hepatic perfusion.