Transarterial Chemoembolization with Drug-eluting Beads in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Usefulness of Contrast Saturation Features on Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Imaging for Predicting Short-term Tumor Response

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate the predictability of the short-term tumor response and the clinical usefulness of cone-beam computed tomography (CT) performed immediately after drug-eluting bead (DEB) transarterial chemoembolization in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and MethodsThis retrospective study comprised 90 patients (male-to-female ratio = 66:24; mean age, 60.4 y) with 119 tumors (mean size, 3.2 cm). All patients underwent DEB transarterial chemoembolization and received cone-beam CT after embolization. The marginal contrast saturation was defined as a contrast stasis that was observed along the margin of the tumor on the cone-beam CT images. The degree of marginal contrast saturation was calculated as a percentage and was classified into five grades in 25% increments. The degree of marginal contrast saturation and the tumor response were correlated based on follow-up imaging. ResultsThere was a complete response in 63.8% (n = 76) of all tumors. Partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease were identified in 21.8% (n = 26), 13.4% (n = 16), and 0.8% (n = 1) of tumors. Marginal contrast saturation by cone-beam CT was 86%±16.3, 73.2%±28.8, 16.9%±27.2, and 0% for complete response, partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease, which indicated a significant correlation of a higher contrast saturation with a better response (P<.001) by follow-up imaging criteria. The positive predictive value of the G5 group showing a complete response was 98.1%. ConclusionsMarginal contrast saturation showed a high positive predictive value for short-term tumor response. This technique may improve the success rates of DEB transarterial chemoembolization procedures and may reduce technical difficulties and shorten procedural time.