Purpose: To assess the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) angiography using rotational digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in transarterial embolization of hepatic tumors.
Material and methods: Thirty-one 3D angiographies were conducted using rotational DSA during abdominal angiography for transarterial embolization of hepatic tumors. The quality of visualization of the tumor and feeder arteries as imaged by 3D angiography versus DSA anterioposterior (AP) images was compared.
Results: 3D rotational angiography provided excellent 3D visualization of the vascular structures of the hepatic artery, and was especially useful in patients with overlapping tumors on DSA AP images and in patients with complex vascular anatomies. Compared to DSA AP images, however, tumor stains could not be detected on 3D-A, but could be detected on DSA in four patients (13%). In 9 patients, feeding arteries could not be detected on 3D-A, but could be detected on DSA (29%).
Conclusion: 3D rotational angiography alone may not be suitable for pre-procedural mapping in transarterial embolization of hepatic tumors, but may be of value when information supplementary to DSA AP images is needed.