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I recently read with great interest the article by Vidal et al. The authors treated hemorrhoids with coil embolization of terminal branches of the superior rectal arteries in 14 patients with promising results [1]. To my knowledge, Galkin was the first who in 1992 assumed that hemorrhoids appeared from pathologically changed cavernous tissue of the rectum and offered arterial embolization for treatment. In 1994, he published the experience with embolization of branches of the superior rectal arteries with polyvinyl alcohol particles and spheres (0.1–0.6 mm) in 34 patients with good results and no recurrence during 2-year follow-up [2]. In 1998, Galkin et al. reported on embolization of 49 patients with 94 % clinical success [3]. A few years ago Galkin et al. made oral presentation about 237 patients treated by embolization: most patients were free of symptoms with maximal follow-up of 18 years, and only 6.5 % had recurrence. Embolization was well-tolerated by patients and very costeffective [4]. Unfortunately, the above-mentioned authors did not publish their materials in English literature and this fact could complicate the search of these sources. I have no definitive mind about ‘‘emborrhoids’’. My own (unpublished) experience consists of only two cases. After embolization by particles, both patients experienced significant anal pain and one of them had early bleeding recurrence, so I stopped the clinical use of this method in 1999. Now, after recent reports [3, 4], I begin to think about re-evaluation of embolization method for hemorrhoids. In any case, I will observe the progress of this promising technique with great interest.

Management of 26 arterioportal fistulae (APFs) is reported. Among 13 hepatoma-induced fistulae (group A), conservative treatment was ineffective in 8 patients, and arterial embolization alleviated portal hypertension in the other 5. Of 10 iatrogenic APFs (group B), the 3 largest were successfully embolized, the remaining lesions resolved spontaneously. Three spontaneous nonmalignant APFs (group C) were embolized. Excellent results were obtained in 2 patients, and the other died of severe postembolization hepatic failure. Because long-standing APFs may cause severe portal hypertension with consequent variceal bleeding they should be treated. Arterial embolization is indicated in most patients.