Variation of hepatic artery on arteriogram and its clinical significance in interventional therapy for hepatic cancer

Objective To investigate the variations of hepatic artery and its extrahepatic arteries on hepatic arteriogram and to provide benefit for transhepatic arterical chemoemblization.Methods The hepatic arteriograms of 200 cases with unresectable hepatic malignant tumor before interventional therapy were analysed.Two interventional radiologists in common reviewed the incidences of various types according to Michels' classification,the absence of proper hepatic artery,and the variations of extrahepatic arteries originating from hepatic artery.Results The most common hepatic artery variation was Michels type Ⅲ(n=17,8.5%),followed by type Ⅱ(n=10,5.0%) and Ⅴ(n=9,4.5%).Proper hepatic absence was found in 25 cases and appeared as 5 subtypes.5 kinds of extrahepatic arteries were found.The most common extrahepatic artery was the right gastric artery(n=156,78.0%),followed by cystic artery(n=126,63.0%),accessory left gastric artery(n=19,9.5%),the hepatic falciform artery(n=5,2.5%),and accessory left inferior phrenic artery(n=4,2.0%).Conclusion There are some other variations of hepatic artery beside Michels' classification,and there are many variations of extrahepatic arteries originating from hepatic artery,it is important to assure interventional therapy effect for hepatic cancer and prevent complication.