Evaluation of the efficacy of arterial embolization in treatment of liver hemangioma (LH)

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of superselective arterial embolization in treatment of liver hemangioma.Methods Forty-two cases of liver hemangioma treated with superselective arterial embolization were reviewed.The femoral artery puncture and catheter introduction with Seldinger′s approach were applied,then superselective hepatic artery or superior mesentery artery angiography followed by embolism with mixture of lipiodol + bleomycin + sodium alginate microball was performed.Results The symptoms disappeared or were alleviated in 40 patients treated once,and in 2 patients treated twice.Twelve months later,the CT image showed still presence of lipiodol in the focus.The hemangiomas disappeared in 10 patients,the size of hemangioma reduced in 30 patients,stabilized in 2 cases and no serious embolization syndrome occurred.The patients stayed in hospital for 3-5 days after arterial embolization.Conclusion The treatment of liver hemangioma with superselective arterial embolization has definite clinical efficacy,and has the advantages of minimally invasive,safe,rapid recovery and inexpensive.