Assessment of the feeding arteries by three-dimensional computed tomography angiography prior to multi-arterial infusion chemotherapy for lung cancer

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of multi-detector row helical computed tomography (MDCT) angiography in the detection of feeding arteries prior to multi-arterial infusion for lung cancer. A total of 59 consecutive patients (44 males and 15 females; age range, 27-86 years; median age, 62 years) with non-small cell lung cancer underwent MDCT angiography of the thorax prior to multi-arterial infusion for lung cancer. Findings on CT angiograms, including CT scans, maximum intensity projections and three-dimensional volume-rendered images, were used to evaluate the depiction of bronchial and non-bronchial systemic arteries. The results of detecting the feeding arteries for lung cancer by MDCT angiography and conventional angiography were compared. Among the 59 patients treated with multi-arterial infusion chemotherapy, a total of 80 feeding arteries (62 bronchial feeding arteries and 18 non-bronchial systemic arteries) were detected by conventional angiography and/or MDCT angiography. In 56 (70%) feeding arteries (including 44 bronchial feeding arteries and 12 non-bronchial systemic arteries) for lung cancers, concordant findings were observed with the two modalities. In 23 (29%) cases, MDCT angiography could not be used to define feeding arteries, but was used to identify the ostia of these feeding arteries. In one (1/80, 1.3%) case, the CT-defined feeding artery was not selectively catheterized. MDCT angiography of the chest is able to provide an overview for successful catheterization in multi-arterial infusion chemotherapy for lung cancer.