Embolization of the hepatic falciform artery to prevent supraumbilical skin rash during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

A dilated hepatic falciform artery (HFA) arising from the left hepatic artery was demonstrated on arteriography prior to chemoembolization of an unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) located predominantly in the left lobe of the liver. The HFA was occluded by microcoils to prevent a possible toxic supraumbilical skin rash following chemoembolization of the HCC via the left hepatic artery. There were no postprocedure complications. We consider this procedure useful for improving the safety of chemoembolization.