Abstract
Angio-CT was employed via an intraarterial or intraportal infusion port system for the treatment or prevention of malignant hepatic tumors in 7 and 6 cases respectively to observe the flow pattern of Iopamidol in the liver. The homogenous distribution of the contrast medium was observed in 3 of the 13 cases. The heterogenous distribution was observed in 5 of the 13 cases. Catheter occulusion or thrombus formation of the hepatic artery was not evident in these 5 cases. Therefore it is surmised that this heterogenous distribution may be influenced by the laminar flow. No contrast medium enhancement was observed in the liver owing to the occulusion of the hepatic artery, ileum vein or portal vein in the remaining 5 cases. In 4 of the 5 cases, CDDP was infused via the port system. Therefore these occlusions may be due to drug induced angitis, which can happen in case of the infusion of CDDP. Angio-CT via an infusion port system is useful for the assesment of the patency of the catheter and blood distribution in the liver and thus may predict the effect of chemotherapy.
