Liver tumour blood flow and responses to arterial embolization measured by dynamic hepatic scintigraphy

Liver and tumour blood flow has been studied in 30 patients with multiple liver metastases and in 14 patients with solitary liver tumours by means of dynamic hepatic scintigraphy. Observations were compared with those of a group of 33 control subjects. Haemodynamic changes were also measured in 10 patients who underwent hepatic arterial embolization (HAE). The mesenteric fraction (MF) to tumour regions in 32 subjects showed a wide range compared with control subjects. In 9 patients the MF to the tumour region was within the normal range suggesting that some tumours may possess a portal venous supply. The MF to the uninvolved liver regions was below the normal range in 25% of patients, indicating that HAE could be hazardous in this group. Following HAE the MF rose in all 4 tumour regions and fell in 4 non-embolized uninvolved liver regions. No increase in colloid clearance rate (k) was seen though a significant decrease occurred in 4 patients. These changes may well represent increased portal venous flow into tumours.