AIMS: The failure of hepatic artery directed treatment of colorectal liver metastases may reflect a major portal venous contribution to tumour blood supply. This study provides ultrastructural details of the blood supply of colorectal liver metastases and their association with the portal vein and hepatic artery. METHODS: Resected liver specimens from six patients with colorectal liver metastases were examined by histology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), following vascular resin casting. RESULTS: Nine metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas were identified. The main feature of all tumours on SEM was direct communication between hepatic sinusoids and tumour vessels. A direct portal venous connection with tumour vessels was observed in a single specimen, whilst a direct arteriole connection was not identified. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that both the hepatic artery and portal vein contribute to the blood supply of colorectal liver metastases through sinusoidal connections with tumour specific blood vessels. SEM provides useful additional information on the morphological features of tumour vasculature.
AIMS: The failure of hepatic artery directed treatment of colorectal liver metastases may reflect a major portal venous contribution to tumour blood supply. This study provides ultrastructural details of the blood supply of colorectal liver metastases and their association with the portal vein and hepatic artery. METHODS: Resected liver specimens from six patients with colorectal liver metastases were examined by histology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), following vascular resin casting. RESULTS: Nine metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas were identified. The main feature of all tumours on SEM was direct communication between hepatic sinusoids and tumour vessels. A direct portal venous connection with tumour vessels was observed in a single specimen, whilst a direct arteriole connection was not identified. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that both the hepatic artery and portal vein contribute to the blood supply of colorectal liver metastases through sinusoidal connections with tumour specific blood vessels. SEM provides useful additional information on the morphological features of tumour vasculature.
Authors: Elie Oussoultzoglou; Philippe Bachellier; Edoardo Rosso; Radu Scurtu; Ioan Lucescu; Michel Greget; Daniel Jaeck Journal: Ann Surg Date: 2006-07 Impact factor: 12.969
Authors: Katalin Dezso; Edina Bugyik; Veronika Papp; Viktória László; Balázs Döme; József Tóvári; József Tímár; Péter Nagy; Sándor Paku Journal: Am J Pathol Date: 2009-07-02 Impact factor: 4.307