Purpose: To evaluate routes of potential extrahepatic arterial supply to the liver.
Materials and methods: Twenty-three patients with liver tumors underwent computed tomographic (CT) arteriography of extrahepatic arteries before and after temporary balloon occlusion of the proper hepatic artery. The right inferior phrenic artery (RIPA), left inferior phrenic artery (LIPA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA), celiac axis, and left gastric artery (LGA) were evaluated.
Results: During temporary balloon occlusion of the proper hepatic artery, extrahepatic arterial supply was immediately evident in 22 of 23 patients (96%). The liver was supplied by the RIPA in 17 of 20 patients (85%), by the LIPA in five of six (83%), by the SMA in eight of 16 (50%), by the celiac axis in two of 10 (20%), and by the LGA in one of six (17%). There was no apparent relationship between the enhanced zones supplied by extrahepatic arteries and the presence or absence of nearby tumors.
Conclusion: Extrahepatic arterial supply to the liver was readily evident in a large proportion of patients during temporary balloon occlusion of the proper hepatic artery. This finding suggests a need for consideration of extrahepatic arterial supply when angiographic intervention for liver tumors is contemplated.