Hepatic falciform artery: is prophylactic embolization needed before short-term hepatic arterial chemoinfusion?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the need for prophylactic embolization of the hepatic falciform artery (HFA) to prevent supraumbilical skin rash before short-term hepatic arterial chemoinfusion with or without subsequent embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transcatheter arterial chemoinfusions or chemoembolizations were performed on 127 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma between August 1997 and September 1997. Hepatic angiography findings regarding the anatomic variations of the hepatic artery and the presence and origin of the HFA were analyzed. The patients were followed up for 35-143 days (mean, 78 days). The incidence of supraumbilical skin rash was assessed for two groups of patients, those with an HFA and those without. We also evaluated other factors that seemed closely related to the presence of an HFA. RESULTS: An HFA was identified in 16 (13%) of 127 patients. Each HFA originated either in the left hepatic artery (n = 14) or the middle hepatic artery (n = 2). In the 16 patients with an HFA, serum bilirubin levels were significantly higher than in patients without one (p < .05), whereas serum albumin levels and prothrombin times were significantly lower (p < .05) and more prolonged (p = .02) than in patients without one. Portal venous collateral vessels were more frequently seen in patients with an HFA (50%) than in those without one (31%), but the frequency was not significant (p = .157). However, supraumbilical skin rash was not seen in any patient. CONCLUSION: We found no need for prophylactic embolization of the HFA to prevent supraumbilical skin rash before short-term hepatic arterial chemoinfusion with or without subsequent embolization.     

Does variant hepatic artery anatomy in a liver transplant recipient increase the risk of hepatic artery complications after transplantation?

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine whether variant hepatic artery anatomy in a liver transplant recipient increases the risk of hepatic artery complications after liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 84 patients who underwent gadolinium-enhanced 3D MR angiography before orthotopic liver transplantation in which a branch patch arterial anastomosis at the gastroduodenal takeoff was used. MR angiography studies were retrospectively reviewed and assessed for the presence and type of variant hepatic artery anatomy. The diameter of the distal common hepatic artery was measured. The incidence of posttransplantation hepatic artery stenosis or thrombosis was assessed. RESULTS: Seven (8.3%) of the 84 patients developed hepatic artery complications after transplantation. Of the 24 patients with variant hepatic artery anatomy, five (20.8%) had posttransplantation/ hepatic artery complications. In contrast, only two (3.3%) of the 60 patients with classic hepatic artery anatomy had complications. The higher complication rate in patients with variant hepatic artery anatomy was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The odds ratio was 7.6 (95% confidence interval, 1.4-42.6). The diameter of the distal common hepatic artery was smaller in patients with variant hepatic artery anatomy compared with those with classic hepatic artery anatomy (range, 4.3-7.1 mm [mean, 5.8 mm] vs 4.0-8.9 mm [mean 6.3 mm], p < 0.05), and it was also smaller in patients who had posttransplantation hepatic artery complications compared with those who had no complications (range, 4.2-6.3 mm [mean, 5.2 mm] vs 4.0-8.9 mm, [mean, 6.2 mm], p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Variant hepatic artery anatomy in a liver transplant recipient increased the risk of hepatic artery complications after transplantation. The smaller caliber of the native common hepatic artery may contribute to the higher risk.     

Is prophylactic embolization of the hepatic falciform artery needed before radioembolization in patients with <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-MAA accumulation in the anterior abdominal wall?

Purpose  

While influx of chemoembolic agents into the hepatic falciform artery (HFA) from the hepatic artery can cause supraumbilical skin rash, epigastric pain and even skin necrosis, the significance of a patent HFA in patients undergoing radioembolization is not completely clear. Furthermore, the presence of tracer in the anterior abdominal wall seen in ^99mTc-macroaggregated albumin (^99mTc-MAA) images, which is generally performed prior to radioembolization, has been described as a sign of a patent HFA. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the incidence and consequences of ^99mTc-MAA accumulation in the anterior abdominal wall, indicating a patent HFA, in patients undergoing radioembolization of liver tumours.     

Computed tomography hepatic arteriography has a hepatic falciform artery detection rate that is much higher than that of digital subtraction angiography and 99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT: Implications for planning 90Y radioembolization?

Purpose

To compare the hepatic falciform artery (HFA) detection rates of digital subtraction angiography (DSA), computed tomography hepatic arteriography (CTHA) and 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) single photon emission computed tomography with integrated CT (SPECT/CT) and to correlate HFA patency with complication rates of yttrium-90 (90Y) radioembolization.

Material and methods

From August 2008 to November 2010, 79 patients (range 23–83 years, mean 62.3 years; 67 male) underwent pre-treatment DSA, CTHA and 99mTc-MAA scintigraphy (planar/SPECT/CT) to assess suitability for radioembolization with 90Y resin microspheres. Thirty-seven patients were excluded from the study, because CTHA was performed with a catheter position that did not result in opacification of the liver parenchyma adjacent to the falciform ligament. DSA, CTHA and 99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT images and medical records were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

A patent HFA was detected in 22 of 42 patients (52.3%). The HFA detection rates of DSA, CTHA and 99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT were 11.9%, 52.3% and 13.3%, respectively (p < 0.0001). An origin from the segment 4 artery was seen in 51.7% of HFAs. Prophylactic HFA coil-embolization prior to 90Y microspheres infusion was performed in 2 patients. Of the patients who underwent radioembolization with a patent HFA, none developed supra-umbilical radiation dermatitis. One patient experienced epigastric pain attributed to post-embolization syndrome and was managed conservatively.

Conclusion

The HFA detection rate of CTHA is superior to that of DSA and 99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT. Complications related to non-target radiation of the HFA vascular territory rarely occur, even in patients undergoing radioembolization with a patent HFA.     

Accurate perioperative flow measurement of the portal vein and hepatic and renal artery: A role for preoperative MRI?

Background

Quantification of abdominal blood flow is essential for a variety of gastrointestinal and hepatic topics such as liver transplantation or metabolic flux measurement, but those need to be performed during surgery. It is not clear whether Duplex Doppler Ultrasound during surgery or MRI before surgery is the tool to choose.

Objective

To examine whether preoperative evaluation of abdominal blood flow using MRI could prove to be a useful and reliable alternative for the perioperative sonographic approach.

Methods

In this study portal and renal venous flow and hepatic arterial flow were sequentially quantified by preoperative MRI, preoperative and perioperative Duplex Doppler Ultrasound (DDUS). 55 Patients scheduled for major abdominal surgery were studied and methods and settings were compared. Additionally, average patient population values were compared.

Results

Mean (±SD) plasmaflow measured by perioperative DDUS, preoperative DDUS and MRI, respectively was 433 ± 200/423 ± 162/507 ± 96 ml/min (portal vein); 96 ± 70/74 ± 41/108 ± 91 ml/min (hepatic artery); 248 ± 139/201 ± 118/219 ± 69 ml/min (renal vein). No differences between the different settings of DDUS measurement were detected. Equality of mean was observed for all measurements. Bland Altman Plots showed widespread margins. Hepatic arterial flow measurements correlated with each other, but portal and renal venous flow correlations were absent.

Conclusions

Surgery and method (DDUS vs. MRI) do not affect mean flow values. Individual comparison is restricted due to wide range in measurements.Since MRI proves to be more reliable with respect to inter-observer variability, we recommend using mean MRI results in experimental setups.     

Iatrogenic subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm close to the origin of the vertebral artery： an endovascular strategy

The central venous catheterization through theinternal jugular access may induce somecomplications at the access site,one of which is thesubclavian artery damage,such as pseudoaneurysm ofthis artery.Traditional US-guided compression andsurgical interventi…     

Are the hepatic arteries "end arteries"?

Twenty-five autopsy livers were studied for intrahepatic arterial anastomoses. Under fluoroscopy, barium suspension at various concentrations, with or without latex, was injected into the hepatic artery. One-centimeter axial or coronal liver sections were radiographed with high-resolution mammographic technique. All films were reviewed. Seven interconnecting arterial pathways were demonstrated: subcapsular and peripheral arcades, proximal and intermediate connecting vessels, periportal arterial rete and ring, a fine parenchymal network, and connections with the gallbladder arterial system. In the six cases where a branch artery was occluded, arterial filling of the entire liver was demonstrated. The authors conclude that these interconnecting networks could account for the infrequency of hepatic infarcts, are the anatomic basis for the intrahepatic spread of malignant lesions, the "duplication" and "triplication" patterns on arteriography, and may account for the outer streaks of the arteriographic "thread and streak" sign in portal vein invaded by hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Interventional radiology in the management of hepatic injuries

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What is the value of measuring coronary artery calcification?

In this issue of Radiology, Saeed et al (1) describe the intramyocardial administration of VM202, a newly constructed plasmid human hepatocyte growth factor, in a pig model of myocardial infarction. Histopathologic findings were used to characterize and quantify neovascularization, while magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings were used to quantify left ventricular function, perfusion, and infarct size. Compared with control animals, VM202-treated animals demonstrated an increase in number of capillaries, improved perfusion and left ventricular ejection fraction, and reduced infarct size.     

Pseudoaneurysm of the renal interlobar artery in Behçet's disease

Beh?et's disease is a rare clinical event characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, and iridocyclitis. Vascular involvement is a rare but serious form of the disease. We present a case of renal interlobar artery pseudoaneurysm occurring in a 20-year-old male patient with a 5-year history of Beh?et's disease, who had been admitted because of right flank pain. Findings obtained on abdominal ultrasonography, abdominal computed tomography, and renal angiography confirmed a right renal pseudoaneurysm and subcapsular hematoma.     

Dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral artery—angiographic patterns at the dissecting site on balloon test occlusion

Introduction

At present, the risk of future hemorrhage or ischemic insult from vertebral artery (VA) dissection cannot be estimated from available imaging data. We investigated the relationship between symptoms and the angiographic patterns of the dissecting site on balloon test occlusion (BTO) to develop guidelines for clinical decision-making.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 18 patients with unilateral VA dissection who presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) or cerebral infarction. We analyzed the angiographic findings at the dissecting site on contralateral VA angiograms during BTO of the affected VA, classified the angiographic patterns into two types, and compared the symptoms they presented.

Results

Patients with dissection opacified from the distal to the proximal side are more likely to present with cerebral infarction than SAH. Conversely, patients with dissection opacified from the proximal to the distal side had a significantly higher incidence of SAH.

Conclusions

Angiographic findings at the dissecting site on contralateral VA angiograms during BTO of the affected VA are helpful for considering the treatment and prognosis of patients with VA dissecting aneurysms.     

The segments of the hepatic veins—is there a spatial correlation to the Couinaud liver segments?

PURPOSE: To investigate and describe the volume, position and shape of venous segments within the human liver and define their spatial correlation to the Couinaud segments (CS) and to the portal vein segments (PVS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was based on 64 routinely acquired CT scans of patients undergoing hepatic surgery. The final analysis included 19 patients. All 19 CT data sets were transformed into 3D liver models. Three venous segments were postulated reflecting the left, middle, and right hepatic vein. Each venous segment was furthermore divided in two venous subsegments. Volume, position and shape of these venous segments/subsegments were calculated and, finally, compared with the volume, position and shape of the Couinaud segments and the portal vein segments. RESULTS: The right hepatic vein covers with 539.8 +/- 119.5 ml (47.1%) the largest part of total liver volume followed by the middle hepatic vein 372.7 +/- 151.1 ml (32.5%) and the left hepatic vein 248 +/- 75.9 ml (20.4%). The Couinaud liver segments and portal vein segments 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8 have consistent positional assignments within the three venous segments. Only the CS 4a, 4b, and 6 showed significantly different positions compared to the PVS 4a, 4b, and 6 (P < 0.03). The venous subsegments have a broad volumetric distribution reaching from 79 to 337 ml. There is no positional correlation of venous subsegments compared to Couinaud segments or portal vein segments at all (kappa < 0.75). In contrast, the venous segments/subsegments which can be assigned to either liver halve and either liver lobe have an identical volume, shape and position compared to the corresponding Couinaud liver segments (kappa > 0.75). CONCLUSION: The venous segments distinguish liver areas divided by the left and middle hepatic vein in exactly the same pattern as Couinaud segments and portal vein segments do. However, the comparison of shape and position of venous subsegments showed no correlation with both liver segmental approaches.     

Hyperdense basilar artery sign—a reliable sign of basilar artery occlusion

Introduction  

We aimed to investigate the value of the hyperdense basilar artery (HBA) sign and of basilar artery (BA) attenuation measurements as predictors of basilar artery occlusion (BAO) on nonenhanced cranial CT (NECT).     

Measurement of the apparent diffusion coefficient in the liver: is it a reliable index for hepatic disease diagnosis?

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the validity of the hepatic apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement. The influence of differences in measured location and administration of Buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide) for ADC were assessed. Materials and methods SENSE-DWI (b = 0, 500) was obtained before and after Buscopan administration to 30 patients suspected of having a liver tumor. In this sequence, respiration gating was employed, but cardiac triggering was not. ADC measurement was performed in the hepatic parenchyma of both right and left lobes in selected slices. A statistical analysis was performed to estimate the correlation among ADC, measured location, Buscopan, and pulse rate. The images were visually evaluated to categorize the subcardiac signal loss in the left lobe. Results The ADC showed higher values in the left lobe than in the right lobe in both pre- and postloaded studies (P < 0.001). In a comparison between ADCs in the pre- and postloaded studies, the differences were not significant in the left lobe (P = 0.93) or the right lobe (P = 0.41). No correlation was noted between ADCs and the pulse rate. Visual evaluation revealed that the subcardiac signal loss was more prominent in the postloaded study. Conclusion ADC measurement of the left hepatic lobe was far more incorrect than that of the right lobe if cardiac gating was not employed. The administration of Buscopan worsened the image quality of the left lobe and made visual evaluation difficult. This article was presented at the Japan Radiological Society meeting in 2005.