Volumetric analysis of the liver after right portal vein embolization: mid-term follow-up based on embolization score

AimTo evaluate liver volume alterations and liver function after right portal vein embolization (PVE) during mid-term follow-up based on embolization score.Materials and methodsComputed tomography (CT) images and liver function profiles were obtained before PVE, and at short-term (7–45 days), and mid-term follow-up (106–380 days) after PVE in all 30 patients. The patients were divided into group A (PVE score ≥3, n = 20) and group B (PVE score <3, n = 10). High score indicates more complete embolization.ResultsLeft liver volume (LLV) and percentage future liver remnant (%FLR) increased significantly between pre-PVE and short-term follow-up and between short-term and mid-term follow-up in group A. Increase in FLR volume was significantly higher at the mid-term follow-up than at the short-term follow-up in group A. The ratio of embolized to total liver volume (RETLV) on short-term follow-up was significantly higher in group A than in group B. Aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were elevated on short-term follow-up, whereas at mid-term follow-up in group A, they had significantly returned to the baselines.ConclusionPVE resulted in continued compensatory hypertrophy of the unembolized liver during the 6-month follow-up. Compensatory hypertrophy in the unembolized liver was proportional to the ratio of embolization and to the embolized liver volume.