ISP-TACE Versus TACE for HCC With PVTT

Conventional TACE was performed in both groups as follows. First, multiple angiographies were performed to detect the hepatic arterial anatomy and the possible feeding arteries of tumor, selective catheterization of the artery feeding the tumors was performed. A mixture of ethiodized oil was injected, followed by injection of Gelfoam particles.

In the ISP-TACE group, stent placement was performed one week before TACE. Under fluoroscopic and ultrasonic guidance, the outer stent was firstly placed at the site of the obstructed portal vein, and a self-expandable nitinol stent was immediately followed through a same 10-F sheath.