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Purpose: This study aims to test the hypothesis that idarubicin-based transarterial chemoembolization (IDA-TACE), using one of the most potent chemotherapeutic agents, could yield oncologic outcomes equivalent to or marginally improved over doxorubicin-based TACE (DOX-TACE). Materials and Methods: This single-center, prospective, phase II, randomized controlled, non-inferiority, double-blind trial will enroll 128 treatment-naïve patients with HCC (≤ 5 tumors, 1–5 cm in diameter) for conventional TACE. Participants will be randomly assigned (1:1) to either IDA-TACE or DOX-TACE, with stratification by Child–Pugh class. Superselective conventional TACE will be performed using cone-beam CT and small-bore microcatheters. Patient evaluations, including dynamic imaging and blood tests, will occur at 1, 3, and 6 months post-initial treatment. The primary outcome measure is the objective response rate (ORR) according to mRECIST at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include 3-month and 6-month tumor responses, time-to-progression, the incidence of treatment-related serious adverse events within 30 days, and the incidence and severity of any adverse events. Statistics: Non-inferiority will be claimed if the upper limit of a one-sided 97.5% confidence interval for the proportion difference (i.e., "6-month ORR of DOX-TACE" − "6-month ORR of IDA-TACE") falls below 0.15 in both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. The proportion difference and its confidence interval will be calculated by the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel method to obtain a weighted average of stratum-specific proportion differences. Expected Gain of Knowledge: If IDA-TACE demonstrates outcomes comparable to DOX-TACE, this study could provide compelling evidence that various cytotoxic agents yield similar contributions in TACE, considering the minor role of chemotherapeutic agents in TACE. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov/). Identifier: NCT06114082. World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) (https://trialsearch.who.int/Default.aspx). Identifier: KCT0008166. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate machine learning models, created with radiomics and clinicoradiomics features, ability to predict local response after TACE. Materials and Methods: 188 treatment-naïve patients (150 responders, 38 non-responders) with HCC who underwent TACE were included in this retrospective study. Laboratory, clinical and procedural information were recorded. Local response was evaluated by European Association for the Study of the Liver criteria at 3-months. Radiomics features were extracted from pretreatment pre-contrast enhanced T1 (T1WI) and late arterial-phase contrast-enhanced T1 (CE-T1) MRI images. After data augmentation, data were split into training and test sets (70/30). Intra-class correlations, Pearson's correlation coefficients were analyzed and followed by a sequential-feature-selection (SFS) algorithm for feature selection. Support-vector-machine (SVM) models were trained with radiomics and clinicoradiomics features of T1WI, CE-T1 and the combination of both datasets, respectively. Performance metrics were calculated with the test sets. Models' performances were compared with Delong's test. Results: 1128 features were extracted. In feature selection, SFS algorithm selected 18, 12, 24 and 8 features in T1WI, CE-T1, combined datasets and clinical features, respectively. The SVM models area-under-curve was 0.86 and 0.88 in T1WI; 0.76, 0.71 in CE-T1 and 0.82, 0.91 in the combined dataset, with and without clinical features, respectively. The only significant change was observed after inclusion of clinical features in the combined dataset (p = 0.001). Higher WBC and neutrophil levels were significantly associated with lower treatment response in univariant analysis (p = 0.02, for both). Conclusion: Machine learning models created with clinical and MRI radiomics features, may have promise in predicting local response after TACE. Level of Evidence: Level 4, Case–control study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We present a technique that combines Hepatic Arteriography with C-arm CT-Guided Ablation (HepACAGA) to improve tumor visualization, navigation and margin confirmation for percutaneous ablation of liver tumors. Materials and Methods: All consecutive patients scheduled for HepACAGA between April 20th, 2021, and November 2nd, 2021, were included in this retrospective, cohort study. HepACAGA was performed in an angiography-suite under general anesthesia. The hepatic artery was catheterized for selective contrast injection. C-arm CT and guidance software were then used to visualize the tumor and the microwave antenna was inserted during apnea. Pre- and post-ablation C-arm CTs were performed and ablation margins assessed. Technical success, antenna placement deviation, number of repositions, tumor recurrence, and safety were evaluated. Technical success was defined as a tumor that was ablated according to the HepACAGA technique. Results: A total of 21 patients (28 tumors) were included. The main tumor type was colorectal cancer liver metastases (11/21, 52%), followed by hepatocellular carcinoma (7/21, 33%), neuroendocrine tumor metastases (1/21, 5%), and other tumor types (2/21, 10%). The technical success rate was 93% (26/28 tumors) with two small hypovascular lesions unable to be identified. A single microwave antenna was used in all patients. The median antenna placement deviation was 1 mm (range 0–6 mm). At a median follow-up time of 16 months (range 5–22 months), there was no tumor recurrence in any patient. Safety analysis showed a complication rate of 5% grade 2 and 5% grade 3. Conclusion: HepACAGA was demonstrated to be a safe and effective percutaneous ablation technique, without any local tumor recurrence in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the cost-utility of initial treatment with drug-eluting microspheres (DEM) transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) versus conventional (C)-TACE in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma considering the perspective of a Local Healthcare Authority in Italy. Materials and Methods: The economic evaluation is based on a retrospective single-center study and individual patients' data whose details have been previously reported. The impact of initial treatment with DEM-TACE or C-TACE on disease progression, mortality, and direct health costs over a lifetime horizon were simulated and compared in terms of incremental cost-utility ratio expressed as costs per quality adjusted life years (QALY). Costs included direct health costs related to the first chemoembolization procedure and all subsequent follow-up costs associated with health care resources used for disease management. Probabilistic (PSA) sensitivity analysis was used to assess the robustness of the results. Results: A total of 101 patients in each treatment group were considered. All over the time-horizon median costs were €3,145.14 and €2,158.32 in the DEM-TACE and C-TACE group, respectively (p < 0.001); while mean costs were € 24,619 and € 17,001, respectively (p < 0.001). The ICUR was 6,461.86 €/QALY when using median costs derived from the study population as input for the health-economic evaluation and 49,932.15 €/QALY when the mean costs were considered. Results from PSA highlighted that using median costs DEM-TACE was always cost-effective, while using mean costs, it was preferable only 24.7% of times. Conclusions: The higher prices of DEMs are counterbalanced by the positive impact on QALY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate safety, and efficacy of Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) using doxorubicin-loaded radiopaque microspheres (DC Bead LUMI™) for the treatment of early and intermediate stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) not amenable for curative treatments. Distribution of the microspheres was correlated with results post embolization. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, single arm, open label study. The primary outcome measures were distribution of the radiopaque microspheres as showed by computerized tomography (CT) and local response measured by modified Response Evaluation Criteria (mRECIST) after Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Secondary measures were Time to Progression (TTP) and Overall Survival (OS). Results: Fifty patients were enrolled over 36 months. Median age was 69.0 years; mean sum of target lesions diameters was 78.6 ± 36.8 mm. There were no Grade 4 or 5 adverse events (AEs). At 6 months Complete Response (CR) (18%), Partial Response (PR) (62%), Objective Response OR (80%) and Stable Disease (SD) (20%) were recorded. Before embolization, Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) showed high signal (restricted diffusion). Post procedure, patients with dense deposition (< 5 mm distance of microsphere aggregations) showed 100% absence of enhancement and no restriction in 30.6%. Median TTP was 8.3 months. TTP for patients with CR was 13.3 months and 7.2 and 5.6 for PR and SD, respectively. At 6 and 36 months, survival was 94% and 34%, respectively. Conclusion: DC Bead LUMI™ is well tolerated and effective in early and intermediate stage HCC with maximal necrosis obtained in dense deposition in the target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trans-arterial radioembolization is currently performed using 90Y-loaded glass or resin microspheres and also using 166Ho-loaded microspheres. The goal of this review is to present dosimetry and radiobiology concepts, the different dosimetry approaches available (simulation-based dosimetry and post-treatment dosimetry), main confounding factors as main clinical dosimetry results provided during the last decade for both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastases of colorectal carcinoma (mCRC). Based on the different number of microspheres or different isotope used, radiobiology of the three devices is different, meaning that tumouricidal doses and maximal tolerated doses are different. Tumouricidal doses described for HCCs were 100–120 grays (Gy) with 90Y resin microspheres and 205 Gy with 90Y glass microspheres. For mCRC, it is 39–60 with 90Y resin microspheres, 139 Gy with 90Y glass microspheres and 90 Gy with 166Ho microspheres. An impact of tumoural doses with overall survival has also been reported. Personalised dosimetry has been developed and is now recommended by several international expert groups. Level-one evidence of the major impact of personalised dosimetry on response and overall survival in HCC is now available, bringing a new standard approach for TARE in clinical practice as well as for trial design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the efficiency of radiomics signatures in predicting the response of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) therapy based on preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).Materials: This study consisted of 111 patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent CECT at both the arterial phase (AP) and venous phase (VP) before and after TACE. According to mRECIST 1.1, patients were divided into an objective-response group (n = 38) and a non-response group (n = 73). Among them, 79 patients were assigned as the training dataset, and the remaining 32 cases were assigned as the test dataset.Methods: Radiomics features were extracted from CECT images. Two feature ranking methods and three classifiers were used to find the best single-phase radiomics signatures for both AP and VP on the training set. Meanwhile, multi-phase radiomics signatures were built upon integration of images from two CECT phases by decision-level fusion and feature-level fusion. Finally, multivariable logistic regression was used to develop a nomogram by combining radiomics signatures and clinic-radiologic characteristics. The prediction performance was evaluated by AUC on the test dataset.Results: The multi-phase radiomics signature (AUC = 0.883) performed better in predicting TACE therapy response compared to the best single-phase radiomics signature (AUC = 0.861). The nomogram (AUC = 0.913) showed better performance than any radiomics signatures.Conclusion: The radiomics signatures and nomogram were developed and validated for predicting responses to TACE therapy, and the radiomics model may play a positive role in identifying patients who may benefit from TACE therapy in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several publications show that superselective conventional TransArterial ChemoEmbolization (cTACE), meaning cTACE performed selectively with a microcatheter positioned as close as possible to the tumor, improves outcomes, maximizing the anti-tumoral effect and minimizing the collateral damages of the surrounding liver parenchyma. Recent recommendations coming from the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) highlighted that TACE must be used in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) "selectively targetable" and "accessible to supraselective catheterization." The goal of the manuscript is to better define such population and to standardize superselective cTACE (ss-cTACE) technique. An expert panel with extensive clinical-procedural experience in TACE, have come together in a virtual meeting to generate recommendations and express their consensus. Experts recommend that anytime cTACE is proposed, it should be ss-cTACE, preferably with a 1.5-2.0 Fr microcatheter. Ideally, ss-cTACE should be proposed to patients with less than five lesions and a maximum number of two segments involved, with largest tumor smaller than 5 cm. Angio Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) should be used to detect enhancing tumors, tumor feeders and guide tumor targeting. Whole tumor volume should be covered to obtain the best response. Adding peritumoral margins is encouraged but not mandatory. The treatment should involve a water-in-oil emulsion, whose quality is assessable with the "drop test." Additional particulate embolization should be systematically performed, as per definition of cTACE procedure. Non-contrast CBCT or Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) combined with angiography has been considered the gold standard for imaging during TACE, and should be used to assess tumor coverage during the procedure. Experts convene that superselectivity decreases incidence of adverse effects and improves tolerance. Experts recommend contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (CT) as initial imaging on first follow-up after ss-cTACE, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) if remaining tumor viability cannot be confidently assessed on CT. If no response is obtained after two ss-cTACE sessions within six months, patient must be considered unsuitable for TACE and proposed for alternative therapy. Patients are best served by multidisciplinary decision-making, and Interventional Radiologists should take an active role in patient selection, treatment allocation, and post-procedural care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To report the multicenter retrospective experience on combination of balloon-occluded MWA(b-MWA) followed by balloon-occluded TACE(b-TACE) in patients with liver malignancies > 3 cm, focusing on appearance and volume of necrotic area, safety profile and oncological results.Materials and Methods: Twenty-three patients with liver primary malignancies (hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC = 18; intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma,iCC = 2) and metastasis (colorectal cancer metastasis = 1;sarcoma metastasis = 1;breast metastasis = 1) were treated. Maximum mean diameter of lesions was 4.4 cm (± 1 cm). Treatments were performed using a single-step approach:b-MWA was performed after balloon-microcatheter inflation, followed by b-TACE (with epirubicin or irinotecan). Necrotic area shape and discrepancy with the expected volume of necrosis suggested by vendor's ablation chart were assessed at post-procedural CT. Complications were categorized according to CIRSE classification. Oncological results at 1 and 3-6 months were evaluated using m-RECIST(HCC) and RECISTv1.1(metastasis/iCC).Results: Mean volume of necrotic area was 75 cm3 (± 36). Discrepancy with vendor chart consisted in a medium percentage of volumetric incrementation of necrotic area of 103.2% (± 99.8). Non-spherical shape was observed in 22/23 patients (95.7%). No complications occurred; Post-embolization syndrome occurred in 12/23patients. Complete response and partial response were, respectively, 91, 3% (21/23) and 8.7% (2/23) at 1 month, 85.7% (18/21) and 9.5% (2/21) at 3-6 months. Progression of disease was 4.7% (1/21) at 3-6 months for extra-hepatic progression. Among partial responders, average percentage of tumor volume debulking was 78.8% (± 9.8%).Conclusion: b-MWA followed by b-TACE in a single-step procedure led to larger necrotic areas than the proposed by vendors ablation chart, non-spherical in shape and corresponded to the vascular segment occluded during ablation. This permitted to safely achieve promising oncological results in patients with > 3 cm tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the standard of care for patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Lenvatinib, a multikinase inhibitor, and pembrolizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, have shown efficacy and tolerability in patients with HCC, and adding this combination to TACE may enhance clinical benefit. Protocol: LEAP-012 is a prospective, double-blind randomized phase 3 study. Adults with confirmed HCC localized to the liver without portal vein thrombosis and not amenable to curative treatment, ≥ 1 measurable tumor per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 (RECIST 1.1), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 or 1, Child–Pugh class A and no previous systemic treatment for HCC are eligible. Patients will be randomly assigned to lenvatinib once daily plus pembrolizumab every 6 weeks plus TACE or placebos plus TACE. Dual primary endpoints are overall survival and progression-free survival per RECIST 1.1 by blinded independent central review (BICR). Secondary endpoints are progression-free survival, objective response rate, disease control rate, duration of response and time to progression per modified RECIST by BICR; objective response rate, disease control rate, duration of response and time to progression per RECIST 1.1 by BICR; and safety. Statistics: The planned sample size, 950 patients, was calculated to permit accumulation of sufficient overall survival events in 5 years to achieve 90% power for the overall survival primary endpoint. Discussion: LEAP-012 will evaluate the clinical benefit of adding lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab to TACE in patients with intermediate-stage HCC not amenable to curative treatment. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04246177. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Different types of drug-eluting beads have been proposed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment, but long-term results are not well known. We report safety, efficacy and long-term overall survival of HCC patients not amenable of curative therapies treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) using drug-eluting beads sized 70–150 micron. Materials and Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 125 patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage A (80), B (45) and compensated cirrhosis. TACE was executed injecting drug-elutings microparticles loaded with 75 mg of Doxorubicine and was repeated in patients with partial response or stable disease after one month. Adverse events, response according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors and overall survival were assessed. Results: Chemoembolization with 70–150 micron beads revealed an objective response rate of 88% according to mRECIST criteria and complete response was 60%. After a median follow-up of 53.3 months, overall survival was 36.6 months. Data were censored at the date of liver transplantation in 35 patients. 33 on 125 patients (26,4%) experienced at least one adverse event. We recorded a total of 102 adverse events and 18 were of a high grade (G3–G4). 30 day mortality was 0%. Conclusion: Chemoembolization with very small particles (70–150 µm) is an effective and safe treatment in unresectable HCC both as a primary therapy or as bridge to transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Arterial feeders supplying a hepatocellular carcinoma are known to be interconnected through the sinusoid-like tumor vasculature. It was observed angiographically that when one of the feeders is selectively catheterized for drug delivery in transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), the whole tumor vasculature will be filled up, if the arterial inflow from all the other feeders is temporarily arrested with selective occlusion of feeding arteries (SOFA) using an additional catheter (balloon catheter). The feasibility of using the SOFA technique in TACE (SOFA-TACE) is discussed. Materials and Methods: In this prospective, monocentric feasibility study, with informed consent obtained, 8 consecutive patients of median age 64.5 years (60–68.8) and tumor dimension 4.7 cm (3.2–6.1), having specific tumor features (solitary, hypervascularity, well-defined, ≤ 7 cm, multiple tumor feeders), received SOFA-TACE using ethiodized oil–cisplatin suspension. Tumor response was assessed with 3-monthly CT using modified RECIST. Results: A single tumor feeder was catheterized for drug delivery (8 cases). All other tumor feeders were successfully occluded with a balloon at one site (8 cases). Complete filling of the vasculature of the whole tumor was achieved in 7 of 8 cases with the SOFA technique as shown on arteriogram and CT, except in a case with an intratumoral septum. There was no complication. Surveillance CT (median 25 months, range 22–28) showed complete response in all cases. Conclusion: SOFA-TACE is feasible with reasonable safety and favorable treatment outcome; it may be a valuable technical option that may facilitate the procedures of selective TACE in technically challenging cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Metformin is associated with improved outcomes after external radiation and chemotherapy but has not been studied for Y-90 radiation segmentectomy (RS). This study evaluates the effect of metformin on tumor response after Y-90 RS in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods and Materials: A retrospective analysis of patients with HCC who underwent Y-90 RS between 2014–2018 was performed. Comparisons were made between all patients taking and not taking metformin, and diabetic patients taking and not taking metformin. Tumor response was analyzed with logistic regression to compare absolute and percent change in total tumor diameter (TTD) and modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). Overall survival (OS) was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier estimation and log-rank analysis. Results: A total of 106 patients underwent 112 Y-90 RS, of which 40 were diabetic (38.8%) and 19 (18.4%) were on metformin. At baseline, the two groups of patients on metformin and not on metformin had no significant difference in age, Child–Pugh score, MELD score, ALBI grade, total tumor diameter, and size of dominant tumor. The only significant baseline difference was ECOG status. Uni- and multivariate analysis demonstrated a larger reduction in TTD and objective response by mRECIST criteria for patients undergoing Y-90 RS on metformin compared to those not on metformin. OS was similar between patients taking and not taking metformin (p = 0.912). Conclusion: Metformin may be associated with increased tumor response after Y-90 RS in patients with HCC. Level of Evidence: III, Retrospective Study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interventional radiology (IR) has come a long way to a nowadays UEMS-CESMA endorsed clinical specialty. Over the last decades IR became an essential part of modern medicine, delivering minimally invasive patient-focused care.Purpose: To provide principles for delivering high quality of care in IR.Methods: Systematic description of clinical skills, principles of practice, organizational standards and infrastructure needed for the provision of professional IR services.Results: There are IR procedures for almost all body parts and organs, covering a broad range of medical conditions. In many cases IR procedures are the mainstay of therapy, e.g. in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. In parallel the specialty moved from the delivery of a procedure towards taking care for a patient's condition with the interventional radiologists taking ultimate responsibility for the patient's outcomes.Conclusions: The evolution from a technical specialty to a clinical specialty goes along with changing demands on how clinical care in IR is provided. The CIRSE Clinical Practice Manual provides interventional radiologist with a starting point for developing his or her IR practice as a clinician. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a non-thermal ablation technique for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) not amenable to standard thermal ablation. The aim of this study was to report our longer-term outcomes using this treatment modality. Method: We identified all patients at our institution who underwent IRE for HCC between December 2008 and October 2019 as recommended after multi-disciplinary team review. Demographic, clinical, tumour response and survival data up until 1 March, 2020 were analysed. The primary outcome was local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) in patients who had a complete response (CR). Secondary outcomes included CR rates, procedure-related complications and the incidence of death or liver transplantation. Results: A total of 23 patients (78% males, median age 65.2 years) received IRE therapy to 33 HCC lesions during the study period with the median tumour size being 2.0 cm (range 1.0–5.0 cm). Twenty-nine (87.9%) lesions were successfully ablated after one (n = 26) or two (n = 3) procedures. The median follow-up time for these lesions was 20.4 months. The median overall LRFS was 34.5 (95% CI 24.8 -) months with a 6- and 12-month LRFS of 87.9% (95% CI 75.8–100) and 83.6% (95% CI 70.2–99.7), respectively. Tumours < 2 cm had a 12-month LRFS of 100% (95% CI 100–100). Conclusion: IRE appears to be an efficacious local ablative method for early stage HCC not amenable to standard ablative techniques, with very good CR rates and longer-term LRFS, particularly for smaller lesions. Further studies comparing this technique to more widely accepted ablative methods such as radiofrequency and microwave ablation are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate technical factors affecting local tumor control of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated by superselective conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) using lipiodol and to compare prognoses between groups with and without these factors.Materials and Methods: Sixty-three consecutive patients with 73 HCC nodules (diameter, 1-3 cm) treated by cTACE were retrospectively analyzed. A positive or a negative 3D-safety margin was defined as a ≥ 1-mm area of lipiodol accumulation or as a diameter of lipiodol accumulation < 1 mm in liver parenchyma surrounding the tumor using plain CT images obtained within a week after TACE. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to identify technical factors determining local tumor control rate. Subgroup analysis of survival rates in treatment-naïve patients was performed according to the detected factors.Results: In univariate analyses, three-dimensional (3D)-safety margin and portal vein visualization were associated with local tumor control rates. In multivariate analysis, only positive 3D-safety margin remained a significant contributor (p = 0.001). Two-year cumulative local disease-free survival rates with positive and negative 3D-safety margin were 82.8% and 19.3%, respectively (p = 0.001). In subgroup survival analysis of the 36 newly diagnosed patients, the 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year cumulative OS rates for patients with and without positive margins were 100% versus 100%, 96.4% versus 75.0%, 81.8% versus 62.5%, 74.4% versus 41.7%, and 47.0% versus 0%, respectively (median survival time; 57.6 months vs. 37.1, p = 0.047).Conclusion: Obtaining a 3D-safety margin can suppress local tumor recurrence and prolong survival in superselective cTACE for small HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic review was conducted to provide an overview of the efficacy and safety of 125I irradiation stent placement for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and main portal vein tumor thrombosis (MPVTT). Six studies with 406 patients were included in the final analysis. The median overall survival for patients treated with 125I irradiation stent placement was 10.3 months. The most common radiation-related adverse event was leukopenia. The stent-related adverse events consisted of fever, abdominal pain, hemorrhage, and anorexia. No stent or seed migration was reported. Overall, the use of an 125I irradiation stent has the potential to act as an alternative therapy for patients with HCC with MPVTT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess prospectively long-term results of doxorubicin-loaded HepaSphere 30-60 μm in consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) not amenable to curative treatments.Patients and Methods: Single-center study from June 2011 to December 2015 in 151 patients treated with 75 mg of doxorubicin per HepaSphere vial. Baseline: Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer BCLC A/B was 49.3%/50.7%, and median diameter 6.1 cm (mean 6.7 ± 2.0). Liver function, local response (mRECIST), liver time to progression (LTTP), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and adverse events (AEs) were recorded.Results: Final analysis included 142 patients with median follow-up of 46.8 months (range 4-72) without grade 4/5 AEs, and 30-day mortality was 0%. Mean number of scheduled treatments was 2.6 (range 1-3) and on demand 3 (range 1-8). Complete response for single tumor ≤ 5 cm was 75.0% and 66.7% for Child A and Child B, while for > 5 cm was 28.6% and 11.8%, respectively. OS was 31.0 months (mean 33.3 ± 15.2; range 8-69), notably for BCLC A 41 months (mean 41.1 ± 15.3; range 13-69) and for BCLC B 26.0 (mean 26.0 ± 10.5; range 8-51). OS at 1, 3 and 5 years: 95.8%, 75.7% and 21.4% for BCLC A, and 94.4%, 36.1% and 2.7% for BCLC B. Median LTTP for BCLC A was 11 months (mean 11.9 ± 4.7; range 3-24) and 7.5 for BCLC B (mean 7.9 ± 2.9). Local response was significant for OS and LTTP (p < 0.0001), while size and lesion number affected LPFS and OS (p < 0.001).Conclusions: HepaSphere 30-60 μm loaded with doxorubicin provides a safe and effective treatment option for patients with HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The global population of the aged is escalating. The need of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients older than 80 years is on the rise. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety and the prognosis of TACE in octogenarians with HCC.Materials and Methods: From January 2007 to January 2018, 86 octogenarians with HCC initially treated with TACE, who were treatment naïve or had a recurrence after surgery and/or radiofrequency ablation, were enrolled in this study. The adverse events were evaluated. The overall survival (OS) after TACE and causes of death were investigated. The prognostic factors for OS were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models.Results: Grade 4 adverse events (according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event version 4.0) of AST, ALT and tumor rupture were found in 8, 4 and 1 patients, respectively. There were no treatment-related deaths. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 84.1%, 61.1% and 27.6%, respectively. The overall median survival time was 38.3 months (HR 2.854, 95% CI 32.7-43.8). 56.9% causes of death were HCC or liver dysfunction. Multivariate analysis revealed that performance status (ECOG: 0) was an independent prognostic significant factor (95% CI 1.103-4.573; P = .026).Conclusions: TACE is safe and could improve survival of octogenarians with HCC. Performance status is an important prognosis factor predicting the OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As medical imaging advancements have improved the detectability of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in early stages, the approach to percutaneous thermal ablation for curative treatment has concomitantly advanced. Although many centers are adopting cross-sectional imaging to guide percutaneous ablation, the majority of procedures are still performed under ultrasound (US) guidance worldwide. Challenges to ultrasound guidance may present due to relatively poor resolution particularly with small or isoechoic lesions, or due to intervening structures such as the bowel or diaphragm that obstruct lesional visualization. Fusion imaging (FI) systems have been employed to address these challenges. By merging or synchronizing the real-time images from US with a previously obtained cross-sectional study, FI mitigates the inherent limitations of each individual imaging modality and expands procedural feasibility and technical outcomes. This manuscript reviews the current literature on the use of FI during percutaneous thermal ablation of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To the Editor, Although thermal ablation is usually performed as single-therapy, arterial embolisation has been combined with thermal ablation in selected cases of hepatic tumours to increase the chance of local control. Such synergic effect may ensure a better coverage of the tumour-feeding vascular territory, with higher chances of covering the tumour volume as well as peritumoural micro-satellites. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), limited therapeutic options are available for portal hypertension resulted from portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). We aimed to determine safety and efficacy of TIPS for treatment of symptomatic portal hypertension in HCC with PVTT.Methods: We evaluated clinical characteristics of 95 patients with HCC and PVTT out of 992 patients who underwent TIPS. The primary endpoints included success rate, procedural mortality, serious complications, decrease in portosystemic pressure gradient, and symptom relief. The secondary endpoints included recurrence of portal hypertension, overall survival, adverse events related to treatments for HCC, and quality of life measured by Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPS).Results: Success rate of TIPS was 95.8% (91/95), with procedural mortality of 1.1%. Serious complications related to TIPS procedure occurred in 2.1% (2/95) of patients. The symptoms of portal hypertension were well relieved. Variceal bleeding was successfully controlled and terminated in 100% of patients, with a recurrence rate of 39.2% in 12 months. Refractory ascites/hydrothorax was controlled partially or completely in 92.9% of patients during 1 month after TIPS, with a recurrence rate of 17.9% in 12 months. Survival rate at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months was 75.8, 52.7, 26.4, and 3.3%, respectively. No unexpected adverse event related to treatments for HCC was observed. The KPS score was 49 ± 4.5 and 63 ± 4.7 before and 1 month after TIPS, respectively (p < 0.001).Conclusions: TIPS is a safe and efficacious treatment for symptomatic portal hypertension in HCC with PVTT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Several scoring systems that guide patients' treatment regimen for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been introduced, but none have gained widespread acceptance in clinical practice. The purpose of this study is to externally validate the Selection for TrAnsarterial chemoembolization TrEatment (STATE)-score and START-strategy [i.e., sequential use of the STATE-score and Assessment for Retreatment with TACE (ART)-score].Materials and Methods: From January 2000 to September 2015, 933 patients with HCC underwent TACE at our institution. All variables needed to calculate the STATE-score and implement the START-strategy were determined. STATE comprised serum albumin, up-to-seven criteria, and C-reactive protein (CRP). ART comprised an increase in aspartate aminotransferase, the Child-Pugh score, and a radiological tumor response. Overall survival was calculated, and multivariate analysis performed. In addition, the STATE-score and START-strategy were validated using the Harrell's C-index and integrated Brier score (IBS).Results: The STATE-score was calculated in 228 patients. Low and high STATE-scores corresponded to median survival of 14.3 and 20.2 months, respectively. Harrell's C was 0.558 and IBS 0.133. For the STATE-score, significant predictors of survival were up-to-seven criteria (p = 0.006) and albumin (p = 0.022). CRP values were not predictive (p = 0.367). The ART-score was calculated in 207 patients. Combining the STATE-score and ART-score led to a Harrell's C of 0.580 and IBS of 0.132.Conclusion: The STATE-score was unable to reliably determine the suitability for initial TACE. The START-strategy only slightly improved the predictive ability compared to the ART-score alone. Therefore, neither the STATE-score nor START-strategy alone provides sufficient certainty for clear-cut clinical decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate incidence and predictive factors for the vascular lake phenomenon (VLP), as well as to compare local and overall tumor response in patients with and without VLP induced during DEB-TACE for HCC.Methods: A total of 200 consecutive patients with 323 HCC nodules underwent first-session DEB-TACE from 2011 to 2014. Patients were divided in two groups, according to the presence of the VLP during DEB-TACE. Pre- and post-treatment imaging studies (CT or MRI) were performed. Primary endpoint was assessment of tumor response, evaluated by mRECIST. Comparison of response rates between the VLP group and the non-VLP group was performed. Secondary endpoints were the determination of incidence rate and predictive factors for the VLP.Results: The VLP was observed in 39/323 (12.1%) of the nodules treated. At multivariate logistic regression analysis, tumor size ≥3 cm in diameter (OR 13.95; 95% CI 3.60-54.05), presence of a pseudocapsule (OR 6.67; 95% CI 1.45-30.59) and alpha-fetoprotein levels (OR 1.004; 95% CI 1.000-1.007) remained predictive for the VLP occurrence. On a nodule-based analysis (p < 0.001), target lesion response analysis (p = 0.003) and overall response analysis (p = 0.004) the VLP group presented a higher objective response rate than the non-VLP group.Conclusion: VLP is observed in 12% of the patients and happens more frequently in large and encapsulated tumors. It seems to be associated with better local and overall responses in HCC patients who underwent DEB-TACE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: To evaluate the long-term survival benefit of bridging locoregional therapy (LRT) prior to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within Milan criteria.Methods: Our transplant center registry was studied for all HCC patients within the Milan criteria who were listed for OLT from 1998 to 2013. Baseline clinical characteristics and median overall survival (OS) were calculated and stratified by LRT, OLT status, and wait times. Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier estimation and log-rank test.Results: Of 265 listed, 205 underwent OLT (mean follow-up 7.6 years). Of 205, 111 received bridging LRT (A), and 94 did not (B). Both were similar in demographics and tumor characteristics (p > 0.05). Median OS from HCC for A/B were 86.4 vs. 68.9 months (p = 0.01). Median OS from OLT for A/B were 74.6 vs. 63.6 months (p = 0.03). On multivariate analysis, independent predictors for survival from HCC were bridging LRT (p = 0.002) and high wait time (p = 0.008); independent predictors for survival from OLT were bridging LRT (p = 0.005) and high wait time (p = 0.005). Of 60 who were listed but did not undergo transplant, 44 received LRT (C) and 16 received best supportive care (D). Median OS from HCC for C/D were 37.1 vs. 24.8 months (p = 0.03).Conclusions: Bridging LRT and high wait times were independent positive prognostic factors for survival from HCC diagnosis and OLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpse of this study was to evaluate the ability of various radiologic response criteria to predict patient outcomes after trans-arterial chemo-embolization with drug-eluting beads (DEB-TACE) in patients with advanced-stage (BCLC C) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Materials and Methods: Hospital records from 2005 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Non-infiltrative lesions were measured at baseline and on follow-up scans after DEB-TACE according to various common radiologic response criteria, including guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), and modified RECIST (mRECIST). Statistical analysis was performed to see which, if any, of the response criteria could be used as a predictor of overall survival (OS) or time-to-progression (TTP).Results: 75 patients met inclusion criteria. Median OS and TTP were 22.6 months (95 % CI 11.6-24.8) and 9.8 months (95 % CI 7.1-21.6), respectively. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses revealed that none of the evaluated criteria had the ability to be used as a predictor for OS or TTP. Analysis of the C index in both univariate and multivariate models showed that the evaluated criteria were not accurate predictors of either OS (C-statistic range: 0.51-0.58 in the univariate model; range: 0.54-0.58 in the multivariate model) or TTP (C-statistic range: 0.55-0.59 in the univariate model; range: 0.57-0.61 in the multivariate model).Conclusion: Current response criteria are not accurate predictors of OS or TTP in patients with advanced-stage HCC after DEB-TACE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) has emerged as a newer regional therapy to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study is to compare clinical outcomes of both the techniques.Methods: Online search for studies comparing TARE to TACE from 2005 to present was performed. Primary outcome was overall survival rate for up to 4 years. Secondary outcomes included post-treatment complications and treatment response. Quality of included studies was evaluated by STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology criteria. Relative risk (RR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated from pooled data.Results: The search strategy yielded 172 studies, five met selection criteria and included 553 patients with unresectable HCC, 284 underwent TACE and 269 underwent TARE. Median ages were 63 and 64 years for TACE and TARE, respectively. Meta-analysis showed no statistically significant difference in survival for up to 4 years between the two groups (HR = 1.06; 95 % CI 0.81-1.46, p = 0.567). TACE required at least one day of hospital stay compared to TARE which was mostly an outpatient procedure. TACE had more post-treatment pain than TARE (RR = 0.51, 95 % CI 0.36-0.72, p < 0.01), but less subjective fatigue (RR = 1.68, 95 % CI 1.08-2.62, p < 0.01). There was no difference between the two groups in the incidence of post-treatment nausea, vomiting, fever, or other complications. In addition, there was no difference in partial or complete response rates between the two groups.Conclusion: TARE appears to be a safe alternative treatment to TACE with comparable complication profile and survival rates. Larger prospective randomized trials, focusing on patient-reported outcomes and cost-benefit analysis are required to consolidate these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To quantify the arterial flow change during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using digital subtraction angiography, quantitative color-coding analysis (d-QCA), and real-time subtraction fluoroscopy QCA (f-QCA).Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 20 consecutive patients with HCC who had undergone TACE via a subsegmental approach between February 2014 and April 2015. The TACE endpoint was a sluggish antegrade tumor-feeding arterial flow. d-QCA and f-QCA were used for determining the relative maximal density time (rTmax) of the selected arteries. The rTmax of the selected arteries was analyzed in d-QCA and f-QCA before and after TACE, and its correlation in both analyses was evaluated.Results: The pre- and post-TACE rTmax of the embolized segmental artery in d-QCA and f-QCA were 1.59 ± 0.81 and 2.97 ± 1.80 s (P < 0.001) and 1.44 ± 0.52 and 2.28 ± 1.02 s (P < 0.01), respectively. The rTmax of the proximal hepatic artery did not significantly change during TACE in d-QCA and f-QCA. The Spearman correlation coefficients of the pre- and post-TACE rTmax of the embolized segmental artery between d-QCA and f-QCA were 0.46 (P < 0.05) and 0.80 (P < 0.001). Radiation doses in one series of d-QCA and f-QCA were 140.7 ± 51.5 milligray (mGy) and 2.5 ± 0.7 mGy, respectively.Conclusions: f-QCA can quantify arterial flow changes with a higher temporal resolution and lower radiation dose. Flow quantification of the embolized segmental artery using f-QCA and d-QCA is highly correlated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using cisplatin as a second-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) unresponsive to TACE using epirubicin-Lipiodol emulsion at our institution. Materials and Methods: Between January 2006 and March 2009, 51 patients with unresectable HCC underwent TACE using cisplatin. All patients had shown persistent viable tumor or tumor progression after at least 2 sessions of TACE using epirubicin-Lipiodol emulsion. TACE procedures consisted of arterial injection of a mixture of Lipiodol and cisplatin (30-100 mg [mean 57 ± 21]) ( n = 29) or arterial infusion of cisplatin (30-100 mg [mean 87 ± 19]) solution ( n = 22) followed by injection of 1-mm porous gelatin particles. Early tumor response was assessed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) criteria. Overall survival and progression-free survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Toxicity was assessed according to NCI-CTCAE version 3 criteria. Results: Response rates were 11.8 and 27.5% by RECIST and EASL criteria, respectively. Overall survival rates were 61.9, 48.2, and 28.9% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively, and the median survival time was 15.4 months. Progression-free survival rate was 35.2% at 1 year, and median progression-free survival time was 3.1 months. No major complications were observed, and the occurrence of postembolization syndrome was minimal. Grade 3 to 4 toxicities included thrombocytopenia (5.8%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level (35.3%), and increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level (23.5%). Conclusion: Switching the TACE anticancer drug from epirubicin to cisplatin might be the feasible option for advanced HCC, even when considered resistant to the initial form of TACE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of doxorubicin-loaded beads (DC Beads) delivered by transarterial embolization for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This open-label, single-center, single-arm study included 62 cirrhotic patients with documented single unresectable HCC. Mean tumor diameter was 5.6 cm (range, 3–9 cm) classified as Okuda stages 1 ( n = 53) and 2 ( n = 9). Patients received repeat embolizations with doxorubicin-loaded beads every 3 months (maximum of three). The maximum doxorubicin dose was 150 mg per embolization, loaded in DC Beads of 100–300 or 300–500 μm. Regarding efficacy, overall, an objective response according to the European Association for the Study of the Liver criteria was observed in 59.6%, 81.8%, and 70.8% across three treatments. A complete response was observed in 4.8% after the first procedure and 3.6% and 8.3% after the second and third procedures, respectively. At 9 months a complete response was seen in 12.2%, an objective response in 80.7%, progressive disease in 6.8%, and 12.2% showed stable disease. Mean tumor necrosis ranged from 77.4% to 83.9% (range, 28.6%–100%) across three treatments. α-Fetoprotein levels showed a mean decrease of 1123 ng/ml (95% CI = 846–1399; p = 3 × 10–11) after the first session and remained stable after the second and third embolizations (42 and 70 ng/ml decrease, respectively). Regarding safety, bilirubin, γ-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase showed only transient increases during the study period. Severe procedure-related complications were seen in 3.2% (cholecystitis, n = 1; liver abscess, n = 1). Postembolization syndrome was observed in all patients. We conclude that hemoembolization using doxorubicin-loaded DC Beads is a safe and effective treatment of HCC as demonstrated by the low complication rate, increased tumor response, and sustained reduction of α-fetoprotein levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the biodistribution properties of three transarterial Lipiodol-based therapeutic regimens in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this prospective study with 13 patients randomly allocated to one of three study groups, each of the patients received transcatheter intra-arterial administration into a solitary HCC with one of three different Lipiodol-based formulations: Lipiodol-ethanol mixture (LEM; Group A), Lipiodol alone (Group B), and Lipiodol and gelatin pledgets (Group C). With the use of radioactive iodine-131-labeled Lipiodol, each group was assessed for (1) pattern of Lipiodol accumulation in the lungs within the first 2 weeks as evaluated by single-photon emission computed tomography and (2) decomposition of Lipiodol formulation within the first 2 weeks as evaluated by radioactivity detected in peripheral blood and urine. The degree of Lipiodol retention in the tumor within the first 4 weeks was evaluated with CT. No statistically significant difference in Lipiodol accumulation in the lungs was detected among the three groups. However, the peak accumulation in the lungs was delayed 3 days for Group A compared to Groups B and C. The degree of Lipiodol retention within the tumor in Group A was significantly greater than that in Groups B and C on day 14 ( p = 0.014) and day 28 ( p = 0.013). This study showed that LEM is associated with a greater embolic effect in intrahepatic HCC at 4 weeks, and a comparable degree of lung shunting and decomposition rates, compared with ethanol-free Lipiodol formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Optimal treatment of large-sized hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still debated, because percutaneous ablation therapies alone do not always achieve complete necrosis. Objective: To report our experience in the treatment of patients with HCC larger than 4 cm in diameter by combined percutaneous ethanol injection and radiofrequency thermal ablation. Methods: In a 5-year period there were 40 consecutive patients meeting the inclusion criteria (24 men and 16 women; age range 41-72 years, mean 58 years). These subjects had a single HCC larger than 4 cm. Twelve subjects also had one or two additional nodules smaller than 4 cm (mean 1.2 nodules per patient). Patients were submitted to one to three sessions consisting of ethanol injection at two opposite tumor poles (mean 12 ml) and then of radiofrequency application through one or two electrodes placed at the tumor center (mean treatment duration 30 min). Results: Complete necrosis was obtained in all cases with one to three sessions (mean 1.3 sessions per patient). All patients experienced pain and fever but one only subject had a major complication requiring treatment (abscess development and fistulization). Overall follow-up was 7-69 months. Two patients showed local recurrence and 9 developed new etherotopic HCC nodules. Seven subjects died during follow-up while 33 were free from recurrence 8-69 months after treatment. Conclusion: A combination of ethanol injection and radiofrequency ablation is effective in the treatment of large HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The evaluation of new oily agents for targeting chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods: Five types of oily preparation were injected into the hepatic artery of 54 rabbits inoculated with VX2 carcinoma cells in order to evaluate (1) the safety of these preparations, (2) their histologic distribution and the amount of agents remaining at tumor sites, and (3) computed tomographic (CT) images obtained. Of these preparations, three were made by mixing non-iodinated poppy seed oil and a thickener and then adjusted to have a viscosity lower than, equal to, or higher than that of lipiodol. A fourth preparation was a mixture of lipiodol and a thickener with a higher viscosity than lipiodol alone, and the fifth preparation was lipiodol alone.Results: (1) No injury to the hepatic parenchyma was observed hematologically or histologically. (2) With increase in the viscosity, a significantly larger amount of agent remained at the tumor site. No agent was present at normal sites 14 days after intraarterial injection, regardless of which preparation was given. (3) On CT scans following intraarterial injection, tumor cells were visibly deeply stained in the non-iodinated preparation groups, while the lipiodol groups were not evaluable because of excessively high attenuation.Conclusion: The non-iodinated oily preparations and highly viscous oily preparations developed in the present study were more useful than lipiodol for treatment of hepatic tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two cases with lethal complications are reported among 1750 ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous fine-needle liver biopsies performed in our department. The first patient had angiosarcoma of the liver which was not suspected after computed tomography (CT) and US studies had been performed. The other patient had hepatocellular carcinoma in advanced hepatic cirrhosis. Death was due to bleeding in both cases. Pre-procedure laboratory tests did not reveal the existence of major bleeding disorders in either case. Normal liver tissue was interposed in the needle track between the liver capsule and the lesions which were targeted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the sequelae of iatrogenic dissection of the celiac axis and its branches in a large patient population.Methods: We analyzed 40 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) whose celiac artery or its branches were dissected during transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and underwent follow-up angiography within 2 months.Results: The two most common sites of dissection were the celiac artery in 13 patients (32.5%) and the proper hepatic artery in 11 patients (27.5%). Follow-up angiography revealed complete recanalization in 32.5% (13/40), irregularity and narrowing of the lumen in 40% (16/40), and complete obstruction in 27.5% (11/40). Therefore, 72.5% (29/40) of the dissected arteries recanalized. Pseudoaneurysm formation of the dissected artery was observed in 32.5% (13/40). Subsequent TAE was possible via the dissected arteries in 79% (27/34) of patients in this series.Conclusion: Iatrogenic dissection of the celiac and proximal hepatic arteries heals spontaneously in the majority of patients, and in most instances allows subsequent TAE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-two cases with communication of an artery and the portal vein or one of its tributaries are discussed. Four conditions in which relatively significant arterio-portal shunts may exist can be differentiated: (1) angiodysplasias or arteriovenous malformations, (3) traumatic and postoperative lesions, and (4) benign and malignant tumors. The significance of the portal vein's early opacification during arteriographic examinations of the abdominal organs is discussed, and the findings are compared to those reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]