Hepatic perfusion changes after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of hepatocellular carcinoma: measurement by dynamic computed tomography (CT).

We observed the hemodynamic changes at the level of the hepatic parenchyma induced by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for hepatocellular carcinoma in 22 patients. TAE was performed by administration of a mixture of iodized oil, adriamycin, and mitomycin C, followed by injection of gelatin sponge particles (1-mm pieces). Perfusion measurements (arterial and portal) were done by dynamic computed tomography (CT). Arterial perfusion was increased two to six days after TAE (0.146 +/- 0.073 ml/min/ml, P < 0.0002) compared with that before TAE (0.064 +/- 0.039), but decreased again one month after TAE (0.086 +/- 0.038). Portal perfusion was decreased two to six days after TAE (0.541 +/- 0.180, P < 0.001) compared with that before TAE (0.733 +/- 0.263) and was grossly unchanged one month after TAE (0.651 +/- 0.214). We suspected that these perfusion changes were due to acute inflammatory responses. Quantification of tissue perfusion by dynamic CT was useful for studying hemodynamic changes after TAE.