Kinetics of liver volume changes in the first year after portal vein embolization

Objective To determine the time course of liver hypertrophy after portal vein embolization (PVE). Design In a cohort study, computed tomography volumetrics were calculated for livers during a 1-year period after PVE. Setting Tertiary liver cancer treatment center. Patients Ten patients who were subjected to PVE and were found subsequently to not be candidates for liver resection. Intervention Right PVE. Main Outcome Measures Left and right liver volumes. Results The left liver continued growing for the entire first year after PVE, while the right liver continued to atrophy. The total volume remained remarkably constant. Conclusion Early PVE during administration of a course of neoadjuvant therapy would be beneficial for enhanced growth of the liver before liver resection.