Trans-Arterial Chemo Embolisation (DC Bead) of Metastases from a Choroid Melanoma
Jakub Wiskirchen, MD, Gunnar Tepe, MD, and Philippe L. Pereira, MD
Department for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
Patient History
Female patient (66 y) suffering from a choroid melanoma. The CT scans (Figs 1 and 2) showed multiple hypovascular metastases. Thus, initially we were asked to perform a chemoperfusion of the liver.
However, an initial angiography shaved presented the metastases to be hypervascular and it was decided to perform an arterial chemoembolisation.

Procedure
After obtaining a survey angiography (Fig 3) using a 4Fr C2 Cobra™ (Cook®) catheter, the feeder of the metastases was catheterised with the help of a 2.7Fr microcatheter (Progreat™, Terumo®), and a total of 2ml DC Bead™ (Biocompatibles) loaded with 50mg epirubicin (Pfizer) were introduced (Fig 4 and 5).

Outcome
In the control angiography following embolisation the previously hypervascular metastases no longer opacified (Fig 6).

DC Bead Sizes and Label Colours
| Bead size & label colour |
Volume of beads |
Product code | Time to >90% loading | Time to 98% loading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100-300µm | 2ml | DC2V103 | 5 mins | 20 mins |
| 300-500µm | 2ml | DC2V305 | 10 mins | 40 mins |
| 500-700µm | 2ml | DC2V507 | 20 mins | 75 mins |
| 700-900µm | 2ml | DC2V709 | 30 mins | 100 mins |