Limitations of hyperselective intraarterial injections for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

The authors report the case of a cirrhotic patient with a multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma. Two nodules were located in the right liver lobe and a minute nodule was in the left lobe. Because of poor liver function, two injections of iodine-131-labeled Lipiodol were delivered in the right hepatic artery to protect the left lobe. The efficacy was obvious in the treated areas, but the minute lesion enlarged dramatically and was responsible for the patient's death.