Objective        To retrospectively analyze the origin and anatomical variation of right inferior phrenic artery (RIPA)

and its participation in the blood supply of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) so as to improve the curative effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treatment of HCC.       Methods        A total of 167 cases diagnosed as HCC with RIPA participated in the blood supply in our hospital from January 2010 to August 2013 were enrolled in this study. They were 151 males and 16 females with an average age of 52.19±11.70 (28 to 83). All obtained DSA images were qualified for observation to identify the origin

course and distribution of RIPA. The origin of RIPA and the features of its participation of blood supply were analyzed.       Results        The origins of RIPA of these 167 cases fell into 9 types. Most RIPA mainly originated from abdominal aorta and celiac trunk

and some from same or separate trunks of bilateral inferior phrenic arteries. Lateral branch

anterior branch

posterior branch and pericardiacophrenic arterial branches participated in the bloody supply of HCC

and accounted for 35.3% (59/167)

70.7% (118/167)

33.5% (56/167) and 6.0% (10/167)

respectively. It was quite common that the anterior branch and lateral branch jointly participated in the blood supply. Among the 167 cases

134 cases had RIPA participated as small amount of the blood supply

and the other 33 cases had RIPA as main nutrient artery. Statistical analyses showed that there was no consistent correlation of tumor location

tumor size

times of treatment

sex

age with the ratio of RIPA participated in blood supply of HCC.       Conclusion        The origins of the RIPA are various with anatomical variations. Many RIPA participates the blood supply of HCC

though with different ranges.