Effect of Transcatheter Arterial Embolization according to Angiographic Findings in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of Transcatheter Arterial Embolization(TAE) according to anglographic findings in hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed 50 cases who received TAE for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. We analyzed the anglographic findings which were correlated with the effect of TAE. The common anglographic findings of the hepatocellular carcinoma were tumor staining, neovascularity and enlargement of feeding artery. These anglographic findings were classified into grade 0, +1, +2. Effect of TAE were classified into five patterns;good response, partial response, minimal response, no response and more aggravation. RESULT:In grading of tumor staining, among 50 cases, the grade 0, +1, +2 were seen in 1 case(2%), 14 cases(28%), 35 cases(70%) each. In grading of enlargement of feeding artery, the grade 0, +1, +2 were seen in 7 cases(14%), 19 cases(38%), 24 cases(48%) each. In grading of neovascularity, the grade 0, +1, +2 were seen in 6 cases(12%), 15 cases(30%), 29 cases(58%) each. This study showed that the higher grade of anglographic finding, the better effect of TAE. A statistically significant differance was found (p<0.005). But the TAE was not effective in some cases (the maximum diameter of mass is over 10cm, portal vein thrombosis or ateriovenous shunt) in spite of high grade. CONCLUSION: We believe that these angiogr. aphic findings (tumor staining, enlargement of feeding artery, neovascularity) are one of important indices for anticipating the effect of TAE in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.