Liver to Lung Shunting in Colorectal Liver Metastasis
Author Information
Author(s): T.W. Hennigan, S. Earlam, T.G. Allen-Mersh
Primary Institution: Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School
Hypothesis
Is liver to lung shunting in colorectal liver metastasis the cause of toxicity following treatment with cytotoxic microsphere aggregates?
Conclusion
The study found that liver to lung shunting is small and unlikely to cause systemic toxicity.
Supporting Evidence
- The median proportion of liver area replaced was 19.5%.
- The median proportion of liver to lung shunting was 1.3%.
- The shunting did not exceed 4.4%.
- There was a weak but significant positive correlation between liver to lung shunt and liver volume replaced.
Takeaway
Doctors looked at how much medicine goes from the liver to the lungs in patients with liver cancer, and they found it's a tiny amount, so it probably doesn't make people sick.
Methodology
The study measured liver to lung shunting in patients using gamma camera scans after injecting a radioactive substance.
Limitations
The study only looked at a small number of patients and the shunting was always below 4.4%.
Participant Demographics
Patients with colorectal liver metastases.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.027
Statistical Significance
p=0.027
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