Effect of temporary occlusion of the hepatic vein on dual blood in the liver: evaluation with spiral CT

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the contribution of hepatic veins to the dual blood supply in the liver under temporary hepatic venous occlusion.

Materials and methods: Selected hepatic veins in 23 patients with liver tumors were temporarily occluded with a balloon catheter. Computed tomography (CT) arteriography, CT during arterial portography (CTAP), or both were performed with a spiral technique with and without temporary occlusion of a hepatic vein.

Results: After hepatic vein occlusion, a well-demarcated, wedge-shaped area of hypoattenuation was seen at CTAP and/or hyperattenuation was seen at CT arteriography in the following regions: left lobe (left hepatic vein), ventral part of the anterior segment and the medial segment except for the ventromedial part (middle hepatic vein), dorsal part of the anterior segment and the ventral part of the posterior segment (right hepatic vein), and dorsocaudal part of the right lobe (inferior right hepatic veins).

Conclusion: After hepatic venous occlusion, the portal veins become draining veins and the occluded area is supplied with arterial blood alone.