Subjects were 24 patients who underwent PVE, which was performed through the trans-ileocolic vein (n = 4) or by percutaneous transhepatic puncture (n = 20). The RI liver volume parameter was measured by liver scintigraphy with technetium-99m galactosyl human serum albumin (99mTc-GSA). Computed tomography (CT) volume parameter was also measured.
Significant atrophy of the embolized liver and hypertrophy of the non-embolized liver (change of 72 ± 108 cm3 and 111 ± 91cm3, respectively) (change of 7.8 % ) was observed after PVE. The change in these RI volume parameters (change of 173 ± 175cm3 and 145 ± 137 cm3 , respectively) (16.5 % ) was significantly greater than CT volume parameters (P < 0.01). CT vol and RI vol in the embolized and non-embolized liver were well correlated (r = 0.75 and 0.69, respectively). However, the correlation between CT and RI volume parameters in the embolized and non-embolized liver after PVE was very weak (r = 0.17 and 0.03, respectively). Only alkaline phosphatase level correlated negatively with atrophic CT volume parameter of the embolized liver (r = –0.455, P < 0.05). When compared with CT volume parameter, more parameters were significantly correlated with changes of RI volume parameter in the embolized liver: pre-PVE pressure; ICGR15; and serum levels of hyaluronate, total bilirubin, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase. Only platelet count was significantly correlated with hypertrophy of the non-embolized liver.
RI volume parameter might more accurately reflect functional changes in the embolized liver and non-embolized liver than CT volume parameter. Correlated parameters might allow us to predict the functional effect of PVE.