Transcatheter arterial embolization therapy for a massive polycystic liver in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease patients

• Published in: Journal of Korean medical science Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 57 - 61
• Main Authors: Park, Hayne Cho, Kim, Chi Weon, Ro, Han, Moon, Ju-Young, Oh, Kook-Hwan, Kim, Yonsu, Lee, Jung Sang, Yin, Yong Hu, Jae, Hwan Jun, Chung, Jin Wook, Ahn, Curie, Hwang, Young-Hwan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 01.02.2009; 대한의학회
• Subjects: Aged; Catheterization; Cysts - therapy; Embolization, Therapeutic - instrumentation; Embolization, Therapeutic - methods; Female; Hepatic Artery; Humans; Liver - pathology; Liver - physiology; Liver Diseases - pathology; Liver Diseases - therapy; Middle Aged; Original; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant - diagnosis; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant - therapy; Polyvinyl Alcohol - therapeutic use; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; 의학일반; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant; Embolization, Therapeutic
• ISSN: 1011-8934; 1598-6357
• DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2009.24.1.57

Polycystic liver is the most common extra-renal manifestation associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), comprising up to 80% of all features. Patients with polycystic liver often suffer from abdominal discomfort, dyspepsia, or dyspnea; however, there have been few ways to relieve their symptoms effectively and safely. Therefore, we tried transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), which has been used in treating hepatocellular carcinoma. We enrolled four patients with ADPKD in Seoul National University Hospital, suffering from enlarged polycystic liver. We embolized the hepatic arteries supplying the dominant hepatic segments replaced by cysts using polyvinyl alcohol particles and micro-coils. The patients were evaluated 12 months after embolization for the change in both liver and cyst volumes. Among four patients, one patient was lost in follow up and 3 patients were included in the analysis. Both liver (33%; 10%) and cyst volume (47.7%; 11.4%) substantially decreased in two patients. Common adverse events were fever, epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting. We suggest that TAE is effective and safe in treating symptomatic polycystic liver in selected ADPKD patients.