The therapeutic effect of Pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion embolization for hepatic cavernous hemangioma

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion (PLE) embolization for cavernous hemangioma of liver (CHL). Methods Seldinger technique was adopted and the catheter was super-selectively sent into the supplying artery of tumors in 18 CHL patients, 5-10 ml of Lidocaine and 5-20 ml of PLE were slowly injected. Before the embolization, 50-100 mg of pethidine was routinely injected. The embolization was conducted in several times in patients with large tumors, with multiple supplying arteries, and whose age was above 60 years. During the 3-48 months'follow-up after the operation,the change of the tumor diameter before and after the embolization was compared by using CT and ultrasound. The clinical symptomatic relief and the complications were also observed. Results The CHL of all the 18 cases were filled up by PLE. The foci were completely vanished in 9 cases, reduced by over 50% in 7 cases,and reduced by 25%-50% in 2 cases,respectively. The follow-up angiographic examination was performed in six cases, the tumor staining was completely vanished and the tumor-supplying artery was closed up. The improving rate of the clinical symtoms reached 89% . There were no serious complications. Conclusion The PLE embolization in hepatic cavernous hemangioma proves to be reliable, safe, minimally invasive, and with little side effect. This therapy, therefore, can be the first method of choice in treating the cavernous hemangioma of the liver.