Superselective embolization with Pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion for the treatment of liver cavernous hemangioma

Objective: To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of super selective embolization therapy with Pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion in treating liver cavernous hemangiomas. Methods: One hundred and fifty patients with hepatic cavernous hemangioma underwent super selective hepatic artery embolization treatment with Pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion. The changes of clinic symptoms and tumor volumes, and the occurrence of complications were observed both before treatment and at 3 and 6 months after treatment. Results: CT scans showed that the blood supply of the tumor disappeared at 3 months and 6 months after treatment, and tumor volume was reduced in all patients. The lipiodol deposited well within the tumor in all patients. The mean tumor diameter was (8.47 ± 2.2 7) cm before intervention, which decreased to (5.75 ± 1.40) cm (P < 0.05) at 6 months after treatment and to (3.51 ± 0.82) cm at 12 months after treatment. The clinic symptoms were alleviated or even disappeared in all patients. No severe complications such as gallbladder injury, bile duct stenosis or hepatic necrosis occurred during and after the therapy. Conclusion: Super selective embolization therapy with Pingyangmycin lipiodol emulsion is an effective, safe and minimally-invasive non-surgical treatment for liver cavernous hemangiomas. With satisfactory clinical results, this technique can be regarded as an ideal embolization therapy. (authors)