Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the incidence and the risk factors of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 186 sessions of TACE in 122 patients with HCC. We examined the incidence and factors associated with risk of CIN, defined as an increase of at least 0.5 mg/dl (44.2 μmol/l) or 25% of the baseline serum creatinine level between 48 and 72 hours after TACE. Results: CIN developed in 14 (7.5%) of the 186 sessions after TACE. A univariate analysis showed that the Child-Pugh class B or C [10/14 (71%) vs. 70/172 (41%), P = 0.046], a low albumin level (3.0 ± 0.5 vs. 3.4 ± 0.6, P = 0.018), and a low hemoglobin level (10.6 ± 2.0 vs. 11.8 ± 2.0, P = 0.035) were significantly associated with the development of CIN. Multivariate analysis revealed that the hemoglobin value was associated with CIN [odds ratio (OR) 1.6;P = 0.038]. Conclusions: CIN after TACE is closely associated with the severity of liver cirrhosis, and with low levels of albumin and hemoglobin. Effective preventive methods remain to be considered in patients with HCC and advanced LC who are undergoing TACE.

Interventional treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and third leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. The Barcelona clinic liver cancer classification is the current standard classification system for the clinical management of patients with HCC and suggests that patients with intermediate-stage HCC benefit from transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE). Interventional treatments such as TACE, balloon-occluded TACE, drug-eluting bead embolization, radioembolization, and combined therapies including TACE and radiofrequency ablation, continue to evolve, resulting in improved patient prognosis. However, patients with advanced-stage HCC typically receive only chemotherapy with sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, or palliative and conservative therapy. Most patients receive palliative or conservative therapy only, and approximately 50% of patients with HCC are candidatesfor systemic therapy. However, these patients require therapy that is more effective than sorafenib or conservative treatment. Several researchers try to perform more effective therapies, such as combined therapies(TACE with radiotherapy and sorafenib with TACE), modified TACE for HCC with arterioportal or arteriohepatic vein shunts, TACE based on hepatic hemodynamics, and isolated hepatic perfusion. This review summarizes the published data and data on important ongoing studies concerning interventional treatments for unresectable HCC and discusses the technical improvements in these interventions, particularly for advanced-stage HCC.

Evaluation of the relationship between hepatocellular carcinoma location and transarterial chemoembolization efficacy

AIM To evaluate the relationship between the location of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization(TACE).METHODS We evaluated 115 patients(127 nodules), excluding recurrent nodules, treated with TACE between January 2011 and June 2014. TACE efficacy was evaluated according to m RECIST. The HCC location coefficient was calculated as the distance from the central portal portion to the HCC center(mm)/liver diameter(mm) on multiplanar reconstruction images rendered(MPR) to visualize bifurcation of the right and left branches of the portal vein and HCC center. The HCC location coefficient was compared between complete response(CR) and non-CR groups in Child-Pugh grade A and B patients.RESULTS The median location coefficient of HCC among all nodules, the right lobe, and the medial segment was significantly higher in the CR group than in the non-CR group in the Child-Pugh grade A patients(0.82 vs 0.62, P < 0.001; 0.71 vs 0.59, P < 0.01; 0.81 vs 0.49, P < 0.05, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in the median location coefficient of the HCC in the lateral segment between in the CR and in the non-CR groups(0.67 vs 0.65, P > 0.05). On the other hand, in the Child-Pugh grade B patients, the HCC median location coefficient in each lobe and segment was not significantly different between in the CR and in the non-CR groups.CONCLUSION Improved TACE efficacy may be obtained for HCC in the peripheral zone of the right lobe and the medial segment in Child-Pugh grade A patients.

Endovascular treatment of post-laparoscopic pancreatectomy splenic arteriovenous fistula with splenic vein aneurysm

Splenic arteriovenous fistulas(SAVFs) with splenic vein aneurysms are extremely rare entities. There have been no prior reports of SAVFs developing after laparoscopic pancreatectomy. Here, we report the first case. A 40-year-old man underwent a laparoscopic, spleen-preserving, distal pancreatectomy for an endocrine neoplasm of the pancreatic tail. Three months after surgery, a computed tomography(CT) scan demonstrated an SAVF with a dilated splenic vein. The SAVF, together with the splenic vein aneurysm, was successfully treated using percutaneous transarterial coil embolization of the splenic artery, including the SAVF and drainage vein. After the endovascular treatment, the patient's recovery was uneventful. He was discharged on postoperative day 6 and continues to be well 3 mo after discharge. An abdominal CT scan performed at his 3-mo follow-up demonstrated complete thrombosis of the splenic vein aneurysm, which had decreased to a 40 mm diameter. This is the first reported case of SAVF following a laparoscopic pancreatectomy and demonstrates the usefulness of endovascular treatment for this type of complication.

Successful embolization of an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt using balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration:A case report

BACKGROUND A congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(IPSVS)is a rare vascular abnormality that is characterized by an anomalous intrahepatic venous tract that connects the intrahepatic portal vein with the hepatic venous system.Hepatic encephalopathy is an indication for IPSVS embolization,which is technically challenging because rapid blood flow through shunts can induce the migration of embolization material to systemic veins.This case report discusses the efficacy of percutaneous balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for treating patients with IPSVSs.CASE SUMMARY A 75-year-old woman presented with a six-month history of repeated hepatic encephalopathy due to an IPSVS without liver cirrhosis.We successfully embolized the IPSVS using percutaneous balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration with interlocking detachable coils.After the procedure,the patient exhibited no symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy for 14 mo.CONCLUSION Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration with detachable coils can be effective for the endovascular treatment of an IPSVS.

Liver microcirculation after hepatic artery embolization with degradable starch microspheres in vivo

AIM： To observe the dynamic changes of liver microcirculation in vivo after arterial embolization with degradable starch microspheres （DSM）. METHODS： DSM were injected into the proper hepatic artery through a silastic tube inserted retrogradely in gastroduodenal artery （GDA） of SD rats. Fluorescent microscopy was used to evaluate the dynamic changes of blood flow through the terminal portal venules （TPVs）, sinusoids and terminal hepatic venules （THVs）. The movements of DSM debris were also recorded. Six hours after injection of DSM, percentages of THVs with completely stagnant blood flow were recorded. RESULTS： Two phases of blood flow change were recorded. In phase one： after intra-arterial injection of DSM, slow or stagnant blood flow was immediately recorded in TPVs, sinusoids and THVs. This change was reversible, and blood flow resumed completely. In phase two： after phase one, blood flow in TPVs changed again and three patterns of blood flow were recorded. Six hours after DSM injection, 36.9% ± 9.2% of THVs were found with completely stagnant blood flow. CONCLUSION： DSM can stop the microcirculatory blood flow in some areas of liver parenchyma. Liver parenchyma supplied by arteries with larger A-P shunt is considered at a higher risk of total microcirculatory blood stagnation after injection of DSM through hepatic artery.