The incidence of right renal capsular artery participating in primary hepatic carcinoma blood supply is low, and there are few previous reports in the literature. This study retrospectively analyzed its clinical characteristics and imaging data, explored the effectiveness and safety of transcatheter-arterial chemoembolization for primary hepatic carcinoma fed by right renal capsular artery.

From May 2016 to December 2019, a total of 13 cases which primary hepatic carcinoma fed by right renal capsular artery were enrolled. We evaluate the clinical characteristics and imaging data, features of right renal capsular artery angiography and tumor blood supply, complications and the short-term effects.

The tumor size of the patients was ranged 2.4 cm to 15.6 cm, average 8.0±4.25 cm. All tumors were located in one or two of the Ⅴ, Ⅵ, and Ⅶ segments. Among them, 69.2% (9/13) of the patients had tumor compression or abutment to the right kidney. Ten patients were only supplied by the superior capsular artery, 2 patients were provided by the middle capsular artery only, and one patient was supplied by both the superior and middle capsular artery. The present study did not contain cases in which the inferior capsular artery supplied tumors. The local control rates at 1 month and 3 month were 92.3% and 84.6%, respectively.

For liver tumors located in the right posterior lobe and the tumor burden is large, routine angiography of the inferior right phrenic artery and right renal capsular artery can determine whether it provide blood for the tumor. Transcatheter-arterial chemoembolization for primacy hepatic carcinoma fed by right renal capsular artery is safe and effective, and the short-term effect is promising.