Usefulness of Y-shaped sheaths in CT angiography for examination of liver tumors

Figure 1 Y-shaped sheath and catheter systems. A: Y-shaped sheath with 2 valves and 2 catheters (3.2 French in size) through the angiographic sheath. B: Placing Y-shaped sheath introducers through the right femoral artery.

Figure 2 The whole diagnostic process including insertion of the catheters, angiography, computed tomography arterial portography and computed tomography arteriography. CT: Computed tomography; CTAP: CT arterial portography; CTA: CT arteriography; TACE: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization; TAE: Transarterial embolization.

Figure 3 Representative case of classical hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed using 3. 2 Fr catheters in the Y-shaped sheath. A: Computed tomography (CT) arterial portography; B: CT arteriography early phase; C: CT arteriography late phase.

Figure 4 Sheath insertion was difficult and insertion of the 3. 2 Fr catheter was impossible. A: Representative case with strong curvature of the femoral artery; B: Representative case with strong curvature of the abdominal aorta.