Distribution of different sized microspheres in experimental hepatic tumours
Meade, V.M.; Burton, M.A.; Gray, B.N.; Self, G.W.
European Journal of Cancer and Clinical Oncology 23(1): 37-41
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0277-5379 PMID: 3595684 Document Number: 295646
The extent of embolization of different sized radioactive microspheres in experimental tumors and the homogeneity of their distribution in normal liver was examined in 25 rats. The ratio of arterially introduced microspheres lodging in tumor tissue compared to the surrounding normal hepatic parenchyma was measured for 15, 32.5 and 50 .mu.m diameter tracer microspheres. The mean tumor to liver arterial perfusion ratio (T/L) for 15 and 32.5 .mu.m spheres was approximately 3:1 in both cases and there was no significant difference between these values (P > 0.05). However, 50 .mu.m microspheres did not preferentially lodge in malignant tissue (mean T/L ratio 1:1). The homogeneity of distribution of microspheres embdizing in the normal liver tissue was assessed for each microsphere size. As microsphere diameter increased from 15 to 50 .mu.m, microspheres lodged more evenly throughout the liver substance. For 15 .mu.m microspheres the coefficient of variation was 55.5% .+-. 8.3% and 32.5 .mu.m microspheres distributed with a coefficient of 35% .+-. 16.8 while 50 .mu.m spheres distributed most evenly with a coefficient of 19.7% .+-. 6.8.