Hepatic falciform ligament artery: angiographic anatomy and clinical importance

Abstract

The hepatic falciform ligament artery (HFLA) was evaluated by angiography and also by dissections. Based on the findings, the mechanism of the post-chemoembolization skin rash was studied. A total of 340 liver cirrhosis patients who underwent hepatic artery chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma were reviewed in terms of the angiographic incidence of the HFLA, variations in its origin, and the incidence of skin rash. The HFLA was demonstrated in 26 (7.6%) of the 340 patients on angiography. Two HFLAs were observed in one patient. The origin was the middle hepatic artery (A4) in 16 cases, the superior branch of the middle hepatic artery in three, the inferior branch of the middle hepatic artery in two, the inferior branch of the left hepatic artery (A3) in three, and the confluence of A3 and A4 in three cases. There were no patients who developed post-chemoembolization skin rash. Two cadavers were dissected to investigate the anastomosis between the HFLA and the subcutaneous artery. Two different anastomoses were found: (1) direct and (2) via the ensiform branch of the internal thoracic artery. These were located at the lower and upper part of the falciform ligament, respectively. The distribution of a chemotherapeutic agent through these anastomoses is the likely cause of post-chemoembolization skin rash. If prophylactic embolization of the proximal portion of the HFLA using a metallic coil is performed, the skin rash will be prevented.