Influence of transcatheter arterial embolization on symptom distress and fatigue in liver cancer patients

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a prevalent malignancy,and transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE)has emerged as a pivotal therapeutic modality.How-ever,TAE may induce symptom distress and fatigue,adversely affecting the quality of life of patients.AIM To investigate symptom distress,fatigue,and associated factors in HCC patients undergoing TAE.METHODS We used a cross-sectional design and purposive sampling to enroll HCC patients who underwent TAE at our institution from January to December 2022.Question-naires were utilized to collect data on symptom distress and fatigue scores from the first to the third day after TAE.RESULTS Our study revealed a significant reduction in fatigue and symptom distress among patients after TAE.Pain,fatigue,insomnia,fever and abdominal dis-tension were the most common symptoms troubling patients during the first 3 d post-TAE.Marital status,presence of family support,physical functional status,age,and symptom distress were identified as predictors of fatigue in patients.CONCLUSION Healthcare professionals should educate HCC patients on symptom distress and INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)ranks as the fifth most prevalent cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally.Surgical intervention remains the cornerstone of HCC treatment;however,due to the challenges associated with early diagnosis and the lack of specific diagnostic markers,a considerable proportion of patients are diagnosed at advanced stages,rendering them ineligible for surgical interventions.Transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE)is an interventional therapeutic approach involving the insertion of a fine catheter via the femoral artery to reach the vasculature near the tumor site.TAE aims to obstruct the arterial supply to the tumor by deploying embolic agents,thereby inducing necrosis in cancer cells.This procedure is suitable for patients with good liver function and overall health,particularly those with large HCCs that have not invaded the portal vein[1,2].Nonetheless,following TAE,hepatocytes incur variable degrees of damage,leading to the development of a constel-lation of symptoms reminiscent of acute hepatitis.These symptoms include fatigue and systemic discomfort,such as nausea,vomiting,fever,abdominal pain,as well as transient elevations in aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and alanine aminotransferase(ALT),collectively referred to as postembolization syndrome[3,4].These symptoms may arise due to ischemia of the liver and gallbladder,temporary liver enlargement,and peritoneal irritation.While many studies have explored fatigue and symptom distress in cancer patients both nationally and internationally,with some focusing on symptom distress following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization,there has been limited in-depth investigation into the fatigue and symptom distress resulting from TAE treatment[5-8].Fatigue and pain are both subjective experiences,typically arising from the gradual depletion of energy reserves during the course of illness[9].Fatigue is particularly prevalent among cancer patients,with rates soaring as high as 90%.Despite extensive research exploring cancer-related fatigue and its influencing factors,a unanimous consensus remains elusive.Hence,the primary objective of this study was to investigate the symptom distress and fatigue experienced by liver cancer patients following TAE treatment and to analyze potential contributing factors.

Safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney patients with gross hematuria: Six case reports

BACKGROUND To retrospectively report the safety and efficacy of renal transcatheter arterial embolization for treating autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease(ADPKD)patients with gross hematuria.CASE SUMMARY The purpose of this study is to retrospectively report the safety and efficacy of renal transcatheter arterial embolization for treating ADPKD patients with gross hematuria.Materials and methods:During the period from January 2018 to December 2019,renal transcatheter arterial embolization was carried out on 6 patients with polycystic kidneys and gross hematuria.Renal arteriography was performed first,and then we determined the location of the hemorrhage and performed embolization under digital subtraction angiography monitoring.Improvements in routine blood test results,routine urine test results,urine color and postoperative reactions were observed and analyzed.Results:Renal transcatheter arterial embolization was successfully conducted in 6 patients.The indices of 5 patients and the color of gross hematuria improved after surgery compared with before surgery.No severe complication reactions occurred.CONCLUSION For autosomal dominant polycystic kidney syndrome patients with gross hematuria,transcatheter arterial embolization was safe and effective.

Arterial Embolization: A Superior Treatment for Massive Urinary Tract Bleeding in Emergency Care

Objective:To analyze the effect of arterial embolism(AE)in patients with massive urinary system bleeding(MBUS).Methods:From September 2018 to September 2023,175 cases of MBUS patients in the emergency department of the hospital were randomly selected and divided into groups according to the length of stay.Among them,85 cases(September 2018–September 2020)underwent bladder irrigation treatment with aluminum potassium sulfate solution through a catheter(Group A),and 90 cases(October 2020–September 2023)underwent AE treatment(Group B).The treatment effects of the two groups were compared.Results:The treatment effectiveness of Group B is higher than that of Group A(P<0.05).The urinary hemoglobin level of Group B is lower than that of Group A at 1,6,12,and 24 hours after treatment(P<0.05).Among the 90 cases treated with AE,7 cases had a fever,with body temperatures ranging from 37.3°C to 38.9℃,with a mean temperature of 38.2±0.3℃.Four cases experienced local pain,nausea,and vomiting,while two cases of intra-iliac AE showed transient buttock pain.These patients with adverse reactions were treated symptomatically for 7 days.All patients recovered after treatment.Intravenous urography of 87 patients in June showed that the renal pelvis and calyces were in good condition,the renal function returned to normal,and the blood urea nitrogen and blood creatinine test results were within the normal range.After 1 year of follow-up,no hypertension occurred.Conclusion:AE treats MBUS patients in the emergency department with remarkable efficacy.It has the advantages of less damage to the body,rapid hemostasis,high safety,and maximum preservation of organ function.

Successful transcatheter arterial embolization treatment for chest wall haematoma following permanent pacemaker implantation: A case report

BACKGROUND Haematoma is one of the main complications associated with pacemaker implantation.Pseudoaneurysm is a rare condition that is not easy to identify and is often overlooked.CASE SUMMARY A female patient diagnosed with high-grade atrioventricular block underwent permanent pacemaker implantation.During the operation,puncturing a small branch of the right subclavian artery developed into a pseudoaneurysm and resulted in further haematoma formation.Conventional treatment of compression haemostasis and haemostatic drugs was not effective.A series of timely transcatheter arterial embolizations avoided serious complications.CONCLUSION More possible conditions should be taken into consideration as haematoma is discovered,and timely treatment might prevent severe adverse events.

Transarterial embolization for massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage following abdominal surgery

AIM:To evaluate the clinical results of angiography and embolization for massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage after abdominal surgery.METHODS:This retrospective study included 26 patients with postoperative hemorrhage after abdominal surgery. All patients underwent emergency transarterial angiography,and 21 patients underwent emergency embolization. We retrospectively analyzed the angiographic features and the clinical outcomes of transcatheter arterial embolization.RESULTS:Angiography showed that a discrete bleeding focus was detected in 21(81%) of 26 patients.Positive angiographic findings included extravasations of contrast medium(n = 9),pseudoaneurysms(n =9),and fusiform aneurysms(n = 3). Transarterial embolization was technically successful in 21(95%) of 22patients. Clinical success was achieved in 18(82%) of 22 patients. No postembolization complications were observed. Three patients died of rebleeding.CONCLUSION:The positive rate of angiographic findings in 26 patients with postoperative gastrointestinal hemorrhage was 81%. Transcatheter arterial embolization seems to be an effective and safe method in the management of postoperative gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

A comparative study between Embosphere~ and conventional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for treatment of unresectable liver metastasis from GIST

Objective：Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE） is a standard treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） and/or some unresectable liver metastasis tumors.Hypervascular liver metastatic lesions such as metastasis from gastrointestinal stromal tumor （GIST） are an indication for transcatheter arterial embolization （TAE）.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Embosphere（㊣）-TAE （Embo-TAE） in comparison with conventional TACE （cTACE） for the treatment of liver metastasis from GIST.Methods：A total of 45 patients who underwent TACE between Aug 2008 and Feb 2013 were enrolled.Patients with GIST who underwent TAE with Embosphere（㊣） （n=19） were compared with controls who received cTACE （n=26）.The primary end points were treatment response and treatment-related adverse events.The secondary end points were progression-free survival （PFS） and overall survival （OS）.Results：The treatment response of Embo-TAE group was significandy higher than that of the cTACE group （P＜0.001）.The PFS was significandy better in the Embosphere（㊣）-group than in the cTACE group （56.6 and 42.1 weeks,respectively; P=0.003）.However,there was no statistically significant difference in liver toxicity between the two groups （P＞0.05）.The median OS in the Embo-TAE group was longer than that in the cTACE group （74.0 weeks,95％ CI：68.2-79.8 vs.61.7 weeks,95％ CI：56.2-67.2 weeks） （unadjusted P=0.045）.The use of Embo-TAE significantly reduced the risk of death in patients with GIST with liver metastases according to the Cox proportonal hazards regression model [hazard ratio （HR）：0.149; 95％ CI：0.064-0.475].Conclusions：TAE with Embosphcre（㊣） showed better treatment response and delayed tumor progression compared with cTACE.There was no significant difference in treatment-related hepatic toxicities.EmboTAE thus appears to be a feasible and promising approach in the treatment of liver metastasis from GIST.

Transarterial embolization and low-dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and raltitrexed for hepatocellular carcinoma with major portal vein tumor thrombus

AIM To determine the efficacy and safety of transarterial embolization and low-dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and raltitrexed in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) with major portal vein tumor thrombus(MPVTT).METHODS eighty-six patients with MPVTT accepted routine embolization. The catheter was kept in the hepatic artery and oxaliplatin(50 mg in 250 m L of glucose) was infused by pump for 4 h,followed by raltitrexed(2 mg in 100 m L of 0.9% saline) infusion by pump for the next 1 h. The efficacy and safety were evaluated afterthe transarterial chemoembolization(TACe).RESULTS Full or partial embolization was achieved in 86 cases,where all the cases received low dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. Complete responses(CRs),partial responses(PRs),stable disease(SD),and disease progression(PD) for intrahepatic disease were observed in 0,45,20,and 21 patients,respectively. The 1-,2-and 3-year overall survival rates of the 86 patients were 40.7%,22.1%,and 8.1% respectively,and the median survival time was 8.7 mo. Complication was limited. CONCLUSION TACE with low dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion of oxaliplatin and raltitrexed could be an option in MPVTT patient; it was shown to be effective in patients with advanced HCC with MPVTT with less toxicity.

Deep lingual arterial chemoembolization of tongue carcinoma with microcapsuled anticancer drug

Objective: Microcapsule chemoembolism is a promising treatment of tumors. We describe a deep lingual arterial embolization of tongue carcinoma with microcapsuled carboplatinum. Methods: Lingual artery cast specimens from cadavers were microscopically examined, and 78 patients with tongue cancer were recruited and treated with the deep lingual arterial embolization therapy. Results: Microcapsule embolism occurred approximately at the fifth or sixth level of the deep lingual artery branches. The five-year survival rate was 88.5% (69 out of 78), and the ten-year survival rate 52.6% (41 out of 78). Conclusion: The deep lingual arterial embolization of tongue carcinoma with microcapsuled carboplatinum is an effective therapy to treat carcinoma in mid-margin or mid-body of the tongue.

Super-selective arterial embolization in the control of acute lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage

BACKGROUND Acute gastrointestinal bleeding is an emergency condition that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality.Embolization is considered the preferred therapy in the treatment of lower gastrointestinal bleeding when it is unrealistic to perform the surgery or vasopressin infusion in this population.Treatment of acute lower gastrointestinal(GI)bleeding(any site below the ligament of Treitz)using this technique has not reached a consensus,because of the belief that the risk of intestinal infarction in this condition is extremely high.The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this technique in a retrospective group of patients who underwent embolization for acute lower GI bleeding.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of super-selective arterial embolization in the management of acute lower GI bleeding.METHODS A series of 31 consecutive patients with angiographically demonstrated small intestinal or colonic bleeding was retrospectively reviewed.The success rate and complication rate of super-selective embolization were recorded.RESULTS Five out of thirty-one patients(16.1%)could not achieve sufficiently selective catheterization to permit embolization.Initial control of bleeding was achieved in 26 patients(100%),and relapsed GI bleeding occurred in 1 of them at 1 wk after the operation.No clinically apparent bowel infarctions were observed in patients undergoing embolization.CONCLUSION Super-selective embolization is a safe therapeutic method for acute lower GI bleeding,and it is suitable and effective for many patients suffering this disease.Importantly,careful technique and suitable embolic agent are essential to the successful operation.

Combined treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with partial splenic embolization and transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization

AIM: To prospectively evaluate the effi cacy and safety of partial splenic embolization (PSE) combined with transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Fifty patients suffering from primary HCC associated with hypersplenism caused by cirrhosis were randomly assigned to 2 groups: group A receiving PSE combined with TACE (n = 26) and group B receiving TACE alone (n = 24). Follow-up examinations included calculation of peripheral blood cells (leukcytes, platelets and red blood cells) and treatment-associated complications. RESULTS: Prior to treatment, there was no signifi cant difference in sex, age, Child-Pugh grade, tumor diameter, mass pathology type and peripheral blood cell counts between the 2 groups. After treatment, leukocyte and platelet counts were significantly higher in group A during the 3-mo follow-up period (P < 0.05), but lower in group B (P < 0.05). Severe complications occurred in 3 patients (11.5%) of group A and in 19 patients (79.2%) of group B (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in symptoms of post-embolization syndrome, including abdominal pain, fever, mild nausea and vomiting between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: PSE combined with TACE is more effective and safe than TACE alone for patients with HCC associated with hypersplenism caused by cirrhosis.

Pulmonary and cerebral lipiodol embolism after transcatheter arterial hemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma

Pulmonary and cerebral lipiodol embolism after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) of hepatocellular carcinoma is rare. To our knowledge, only 7 cases have been reported in the literature. We present a case of pulmonary and cerebral lipiodol embolism, and analyzed retrospectively the imaging and clinical data of the patient and conclude the most probable mechanism of pulmonary and cerebral lipiodol embolism, which is different from that of the cases reported previously.

Cerebral and pulmonary embolisms after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

A cerebral lipiodol embolism is an extremely rare complication of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. We present a case of cerebral lipiodol embolism that occurred after the third arterial chemoembolization, report the clinical and radiological findings, and review the medical literature.

Prognosis following transcatheter arterial embolization for 121 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma with or without a history of treatment

AIM： To retrospectively evaluate the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） with or without a history of therapy for HCC following transcatheter arterial embolization （TAE）. METHODS： One hundred and twenty-one patients with HCC treated with TAE from 1992 to 2004 in our hospital were enrolled in this study. Eighty-four patients had a history of treatment for HCC, while 37 did not. At the time of entry, patients with extra-hepatic metastasis, portal vein tumor thrombosis, or Child-Pugh class C were excluded. TAE was repeated when recurrence of HCC was diagnosed by elevated tumor markers, or ultrasonography or dynamic computed tomography findings. RESULTS： Tumor size was larger and the number of tumors was fewer in patients without past treatment （P〈0.01）. However, there were no differences in tumor node metastasis （TNM） stage or survival rate between the 2 groups. A bilobular tumor and high level of α-fetoprotein （AFP） （〉100 ng/mL） were factors related to a poor prognosis in patients with a history of HCC. CONCLUSION： The prognosis following TAE is similar between HCC patients with and without past treatment. Early diagnosis of HCC or recurrent HCC and obtaining good local control against HCC before entry to a repeated TAE course can improve prognosis.

Sequential transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and portal vein embolization before right hemihepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background:Recent studies showed that sequential selective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)and portal vein embolization(PVE)provided better future liver remnant(FLR)regeneration rate and disease-free survival following surgery compared with PVE alone.The present study aimed to clarify whether preoperative sequential TACE and PVE before right hemihepatectomy can reduce postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)recurrence and improve long-term disease-free and overall survival.Methods:Recurrence and survival outcomes were retrospectively evaluated in 205 patients with HCC who underwent right hemihepatectomy by a single surgeon from November 1993 to November 2017.Patients were divided into four groups according to the procedure performed before the surgery:sequential TACE and PVE(TACE-PVE),PVE-only,TACE-only,or na?ve control groups.The baseline patient and tumor characteristics,postoperative outcomes,recurrence-free survival and overall survival were analyzed.Results:Baseline patient and tumor characteristics upon diagnosis were similar in all four groups,while sequential TACE and PVE were well tolerated.The TACE-PVE group had a higher mean increase in percentage FLR volume compared with that of the PVE-only group(17.46%±6.63%vs.12.14%±5.93%;P=0.001).The TACE-PVE group had significantly better overall and disease-free survival rates compared with the other groups(both P<0.001).Conclusions:Sequential TACE and PVE prior to surgery can be an effective therapeutic strategy for patients with HCC scheduled for major hepatic resection.The active application of preoperative sequential TACE and PVE for HCC would allow more patients with marginal FLR volume to become candidates for major hepatic resection by promoting compensatory FLR hypertrophy without the deterioration of basal hepatic functional reserve or tumor progression.

Clinical outcomes of symptomatic arterioportal fistulas after transcatheter arterial embolization

AIM: To evaluate the complications and clinical outcomes of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for symptoms related to severe arterioportal fistulas (APFs). METHODS: Six patients (3 males, 3 females; mean age, 63.8 years; age range, 60-71 years) with chronic liver disease and severe APFs due to percutaneous intrahepatic treatment (n=5) and portal vein (PV) tumor thrombosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (n=1) underwent TAE for symptoms related to severe APFs [refractory ascites (n=4), hemorrhoidal hemorrhage (n=1), and hepatic encephalopathy (n=1)]. Control of symptoms related to APFs and complications were evaluated during the follow-up period (range, 4-57 mo). RESULTS: In all patients, celiac angiography revealed immediate retrograde visualization of the main PV before TAE, indicating severe APF. Selective TAE for the hepatic arteries was performed using metallic coils (MC, n=4) and both MCs and n-butyl cyanoacrylate (n=2). Three patients underwent repeated TAEs for residual APFs and ascites. Four patients developed PV thrombosis after TAE. During the follow-up period after TAE, APF obliteration and symptomatic improvement were obtained in all patients. CONCLUSION: Although TAE for severe APFs may sometimes be complicated by PV thrombosis, TAE can be an effective treatment to improve clinical symptoms related to severe APFs.

Simultaneous transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and portal vein embolization for patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma before major hepatectomy

BACKGROUND Sequential transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)and portal vein embolization(PVE)are associated with long time interval that can allow tumor growth and nullify treatments'benefits.AIM To evaluate the effect of simultaneous TACE and PVE for patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)prior to elective major hepatectomy.METHODS Fifty-one patients with large HCC who underwent PVE combined with or without TACE prior to hepatectomy were included in this study,with 13 patients in the simultaneous TACE+PVE group,17 patients in the sequential TACE+PVE group,and 21 patients in the PVE-only group.The outcomes of the procedures were compared and analyzed.RESULTS All patients underwent embolization.The mean interval from embolization to surgery,the kinetic growth rate of the future liver remnant(FLR),the degree of tumor size reduction,and complete tumor necrosis were significantly better in the simultaneous TACE+PVE group than in the other groups.Although the patients in the simultaneous TACE+PVE group had a higher transaminase levels after PVE and TACE,they recovered to comparable levels with the other two groups before surgery.The intraoperative course and the complication and mortality rates were similar among the three groups.The overall survival and disease-free survival were higher in the simultaneous TACE+PVE group than in the other two groups.CONCLUSION Simultaneous TACE and PVE is a safe and effective approach to increase FLR volume for patients with large HCC before major hepatectomy.

Survival outcome of lobar or segmental transcatheter arterial embolization with ethanol-lipiodol mixture in treating hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the dinical outcome and cost-effectiveness of transcatheter arterial ethanol-lipiodoi embolotherapy on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: One hundred patients with HCC who were treated only by lobar or segmental transarterial embolization (TAE) with ethanol-lipiodoi mixture were enrolled in this study. The 1st- and 2nd-year survival rates were analyzed to evaluate the feasibility of its method. These outcomes of our patients were individually correlated to the Child-Pugh classification and the computed tomographic features of HCC. RESULTS: The overall 1st- and 2nd-year survival rates were 72% and 46%, respectively. The patients were classified into three groups according to their liver function status: 68 patients as Child-Pugh class A, 26 as Child B, and 6 as Child C. Child A had better survival rate than the Child B and/or C. The 1st-year survival rates of patients with Child A-C were 84%, 50%, and 33.3% respectively and the 2nd-year survival rates were 55.5%, 28.5%, and 33.3%, respectively. According to the computed tomographic features, solitary HCC with maximum diameter less than 5 cm had the best outcome with the lst-year survival rate of 100% and the 2nd-year survival rate of 71.4%, while solitary HCC with maximum diameter over 5 cm and multiple HCC had the lst-year survival rates of 75% and 63.7%, respectively, and the 2nd-year survival rates of 33.3% and 44.4%, respectively. Only one patient was complicated with abscess formation and was cured with antibiotic therapy. No mortality resulted from the procedures performed. CONCLUSION: TAE with ethanol-lipiodoi mixture is an economic, safe and feasible method for treating HCC, especially for the patients with smaller solitary HCC or with liver function status of Child-Pugh class A.

Biloma following repeated transcatheter arterial embolization and complicated by intrahepatic duct stones: A case report

Biloma is an encapsulated bile collection outside the biliary tree due to a bile leak. It is occasionally found following traumatic liver injury or iatrogenic injury to the biliary tract, induced either during an endoscopic or surgical procedure. It is a rare complication of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). Although biloma can be shrunk by appropriate aspiration or drainage in majority of cases,we report a case of intrahepatic biloma following repeated TAE for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and complicated by infection and intrahepatic stones. This particular constellation of problems has not been reported before and the intrahepatic stones need to be removed by percutaneous procedure.

Superselective transcatheter arterial embolization to control renal hemorrhage after partial nephrectomy for renal tumors:A report of 9 cases and a literature review

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of selective arterial embolization for hemorrhage after renal surgery and to summarize the clinical experience.Materials and methods:A total of 9 patients underwent arterial embolization after partial nephrectomy from 2010 to 2018.Results:Technical success was achieved in all patients;however,3 patients underwent a secondary arterial embolization because of short-term re-hemorrhage or the co-occurrence of accessory renal arterial hemorrhage.No serious complications occurred during the follow-up.Conclusions:Superselective arterial embolization is an effective and minimally invasive treatment for hemorrhage after partial nephrectomy.To improve the success rate of surgery,attention should be paid to the evaluation of accessory renal arteries and the management of suspected bleeding arteries.

Radiofrequency ablation in a porcine liver model:Effects of transcatheter arterial embolization with iodized oil on ablation time,maximum output,and coagulation diameter as well as angiographic characteristics

AIM:To evaluate the effects of combined radiofrequen-cy ablation and transcatheter arterial embolization with iodized oil on ablation time,maximum output,coagula-tion diameter,and portal angiography in a porcine liver model. METHODS: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was applied to in vivo livers of 10 normal pigs using a 17-gauge 3.0 cm expandable LeVeen RF needle electrode with or with-out transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with iodized oil (n = 5). In each animal,2 areas in the liver were ab-lated. Direct portography was performed before and af-ter RFA. Ablation was initiated at an output of 30 W,and continued with an increase of 10 W per minute until roll-off occurred. Ablation time and maximum output until roll-off,and coagulated tissue diameter were compared between the 2 groups. Angiographic changes on portog-raphy before and after ablation were also reviewed. RESULTS: For groups with and without TAE with iodized oil,the ablation times until roll-off were 320.6 ± 30.9 seconds and 445.1 ± 35.9 seconds,respectively,maxi-mum outputs were 69.0 ± 7.38 W and 87.0 ± 4.83 W and maximal diameters of coagulation were 41.7 ± 3.85 mm and 33.2 ± 2.28 mm. Significant reductions of abla-tion time and maximum output,and significantly larger coagulation diameter were obtained with RFA following TAE with iodized oil compared to RFA alone. Portography after RFA following TAE with iodized oil revealed more occlusion of the larger portal branches than with RFA alone. CONCLUSION: RFA following TAE with iodized oil can increase the volume of coagulation necrosis with lower output and shorter ablation time than RFA alone in nor-mal pig liver tissue.