18F-FDG PET/CT Demonstrates Efficacy and Limitations of Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for Treating Colorectal Liver Metastases

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is a palliative therapy option for advanced, unresectable liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma. A woman with multiple colorectal liver metastases was treated with HAIC and systemic chemotherapy. Serial 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging showed local therapeutic response of liver metastases to regional delivery of chemotherapy, but concurrent disease progression at extra-hepatic sites suggesting ineffective systemic chemotherapy. Hepatic disease also progressed in the caudate lobe, likely due to variable regional arterial supply. This case is illustrative of the rationale for HAIC in the management of inoperable hepatic metastases and also demonstrates limitations of this approach.