Chemo-embolisation of Multifocal Hepatoma

Professor Michael C. Soulen, MD
Professor of Radiology and Surgery University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, USA

Patient History

  • 52-year-old male with cirrhosis attributed to past alcohol abuse presented with bleeding varices that were banded.
  • MRI demonstrated two hypervascular masses measuring 5-6cm, one in left lateral segment and the other in left medial segment, surrounded by multiple small satellites.
  • Biopsy revealed moderated differentiated hepatoma.
Bead Block Case 1 fig 1

Left hepatic arteriogram: early phase

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Left hepatic arteriogram: late phase

 

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Left hepatic arteriogram: during embolisation

Procedure

  • Cobra catheter was advanced into the left hepatic artery and beyond the right gastric artery.
  • A solution of 100mg cisplatin, 50mg doxorubicin, 10mg mitomycin-C dissolved in 10ml of radiographic contrast was emulsified with 10ml of ethiodol.
  • 10-15ml of the resulting emulsion was infused slowly into the left hepatic artery.
  • One syringe of 300-500μm Bead Block™ microspheres was added to the remaining emulsion after expressing the excess saline from the syringe.
  • Careful infusion was continued until near-stasis was achieved.

Outcome

  • Angiography of left and common hepatic arteries showed no residual tumour blush.
  • Follow-up visit one month later showed complete necrosis of both masses with no viable tumour identified.
  • Complete radiographic response of multifocal hepatoma to chemo-embolisation.
Bead Block Case 1 fig 4

Arterial phase: gadolinium enhanced MRI

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Arterial phase: one month after chemoembolisation

 

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Post-embolisation: left hepatic arteriogram

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Post-embolisation: common hepatic arteriogram