INTRAARTERIAL ANGIO-CT FOR PERFUSION CONTROL OF INTRAARTERIAL CHEMOTHERAPY OF BRONCHIAL, MAMMARY AND LIVER-TUMORS

Intra-arterial angio-CT is used increasingly in the diagnosis of liver metastases since the sensitivity of this method is greater than that of IV-contrast CTs. We carried out this procedure in eight patients with inoperable carcinomas of the bronchus, eight patients with carcinoma of the breast, one patient with an hepato-cellular carcinoma and one patient with carcinoid metastases, before starting intra-arterial chemotherapy or tumour embolisation. The procedure permitted optimal placing of the catheter to ensure complete perfusion of the tumour. Perfusion of normal tissue can be reduced to a minimum. Failure of contrast filling on the angio-CT indicates the presence of a second vessel supplying the tumour.