Use of a catheter with a large side hole for selective catheterization of the inferior phrenic artery

The authors report the use of a catheter with a large side hole in the cath eterization of the right inferior phrenic artery (IPA) arising from the pro ximal portion of the celiac trunk. A 5-F catheter with a side hole on eithe r the top or the right side of the superior portion near the tip was used i n five patients with hepatocellular carcinoma fed by the right IPA, which c ould not be selected by a conventional coaxial technique. In all patients, a 3-F microcatheter was successfully advanced into the right IPA through th e side hole of this catheter introduced into the celiac artery or the commo n hepatic artery.