Microsphere angiography in hepatic artery infusion for cancer.

99mTc-human albumin microspheres were injected at a slow rate into the hepatic arteries of 24 patients before starting intraarterial chemotherapy for liver cancer. The distribution patterns of radiolabeled microspheres were significantly different from those obtained in contrast angiography in 13 of 22 patients. Liver uptake of slowly injected microspheres was greater than 75% in 16 of 24 patients and less than 25% in 4 of 24 patients. A significantly increased arterial blood supply to intrahepatic neoplastic regions was demonstrated in 12 of 20 patients. Microsphere examination allowed an easy evaluation of the relative perfusion of the liver and of the intrahepatic distribution of arterial blood flow in all patients.