Iodized oil in the portal vein after arterial embolization

Transcatheter embolization with a relatively large amount (average, 17 mL) of iodized oil and doxorubicin hydrochloride with or without gelatin sponge particles was performed in 50 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and in eight patients with liver metastases. After an intraarterial hepatic injection of an emulsion of iodized oil and doxorubicin hydrochloride, iodized oil was seen in the portal vein; the amount correlated with the amount that was injected, despite the lack of arterioportal shunting. Prominent portal vein appearances were seen in six of 21 cases (29%) given 10 mL or less of iodized oil, in 14 of 21 cases (67%) with 10-20 mL, and in 18 of 21 cases (86%) with more than 20 mL. Iodized oil may enter the portal vein through an arterioportal communication after pooling in the sinusoids.