[Microwave hepatic tumor coagulation therapy during stoppage of hepatic blood flow using balloon catheters]

The usefulness of microwave hepatic tumor coagulation therapy (MTC) with stoppage of hepatic blood flow using a balloon catheter was assessed. By placing a 5-French balloon catheter in a hepatic artery and 6-French balloon catheter in a hepatic vein, hepatic arterial and portal venous flow of the liver segment including the tumor was interrupted. The effects of balloon occlusion were evaluated by CT during arterial portography. MTC with stoppage of hepatic flow was performed for two patients with metastatic liver tumor 2 cm in diameter. Enhanced CT obtained after MTC showed no enhancement of the tumor, indicating complete necrosis. There were no complications and the two patients were discharged within 4 days after MTC. MTC with stoppage of hepatic blood flow is effective for treatment of hepatic metastatic tumor.