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Erschienen in:
01.10.2012 | Interventional
Nitroglycerine use in transcatheter arterial (chemo)embolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and dual-energy CT assessment of Lipiodol retention
Erschienen in: European Radiology | Ausgabe 10/2012
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Objectives
To investigate whether the addition of nitroglycerine to transcatheter arterial (chemo)embolization (TAE/TACE) can increase the delivery and effectiveness of TAE/TACE in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by dual-energy CT.
Methods
HCC patients (BCLC stage A or B) were randomized to (n = 51) or not to (n = 50) receive nitroglycerine and an emulsion of Lipiodol with or without doxorubicin, followed by embolization with Gelfoam pledgets. Dual-energy CT was performed pre- and 1 to 3 months post-embolization to assess changes in tumour diameter and Lipiodol levels in tumours.
Results
Median tumour diameter decreased from baseline in both groups with and without nitroglycerine (7.11 % vs. 12.5 %, respectively), and was statistically significant in the group receiving nitroglycerine (P = 0.023). There was no difference between the two groups in disease response (P = 0.237). The concentration and percentage of Lipiodol retained in tumours were significantly greater in patients treated with nitroglycerine compared to those without (median concentration 15.05 mg/mL vs. 4.40 mg/mL, respectively, P < 0.001; median percentage 82.01 % vs. 36.75 %, respectively, P < 0.001).
Conclusions
Nitroglycerine increased delivery of the Lipiodol emulsion via TAE/TACE to HCC tumours with significant tumour reduction. Dual-energy CT can accurately quantify the amount of Lipiodol deposited in tumours.
Key Points
• Nitroglycerine improves delivery of tumour-targeted therapy via enhanced permeability and retention.
• In hepatocellular carcinoma, nitroglycerine added to TAE/TACE showed greater tumour reduction.
• Dual-energy CT can reliably quantify the amount of Lipiodol in TAE/TACE.