Interventional chemoembolization for primary hepatocelluar carcinoma complicated by arteriovenous shunting：retrospective analysis of 62 cases / 介入放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To retrospectively analyze the effect of interventional embolization for hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) associated with arteriovenous shunting (AVS), and to discuss the factors influencing the therapeutic results. Methods The clinical data of 62 cases with HCC associated with AVS , who were treated with interventional chemoembolization , were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the type and extent of AVS identified by angiographic manifestations, appropriate obstruction of the shunt and Lipiodol chemoembolization of HCC were conducted. The curative effect of the shunt embolization was assessed by DSA at one or two months after the treatment. The relevant factors influencing the prognosis of embolization were analyzed by using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis methods. Results Of the 62 patients, arterioportal shunting (APS) was detected in 44, hepatic arterio-venous shunting (HAVS) in 11, APS together with HAVS in 4, and hepatic artery-pulmonary artery shunting (HAPAS) in 3. Re-examination with DSA was carried out in 53 patients at 1 - 2 months after the treatment , which showed that the shunting disappeared in 18 cases, obvious reduction of the shunt flow was seen in 19 cases, the lesion remained stable in 9 cases and the disease became worse in 7 cases. Univariate analysis indicated that the kind of embolic material and the presence of tumor thrombus could affect the obstructive result of the shunt , while multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that portal tumoral thrombus was an independent risk factor. The embolization effect of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles and Lipiodol-ethanol mixture, used as the embolic agents, was better than that of gelatin sponge particles. Conclusion To ensure a successful interventional chemoembolization for HCC combined with AVS the procedure should be individualized according to the type and extent of the arteriovenous shunting. The type of embolic materials used for embolization can affect the results to a certain degree.