Characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma supplied by right inferior phrenic artery at initial TACE

Objective To observe the characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) supplied by right inferior phrenic artery(RIPA) at initial TACE.Methods Totally 106 patients with HCC who underwent RIPA angiography at the initial TACE were analyzed retrospectively.The growth characteristic of HCC supplied by RIPA and the anatomic characteristics of RIPA were observed.Results HCC in 46 patients were supplied by RIPA,which located in liver segment Ⅳ—Ⅷ.Exophytic growth of HCC was noticed in 45 patients,while massive type in 28 patients.The hepatic arteries were intact in all 46 patients.Twenty-two(22/46,47.83%) RIPA originated from the aorta,8(8/46,17.39%) from celiac trunk,10(10/46,21.74%) from right renal artery,3(3/46,6.52%) from proper hepatic artery,and 3(3/46,6.52%) from left gastric artery.Conclusion For HCC at the liver bare area or under the right diaphragm with exophytic growth pattern and massive type,it is necessary to perform RIPA angiography at the first TACE to watch whether it supplies the tumor.