Transarterial Bleomycin–Lipiodol Chemoembolization for the Treatment of Giant Hepatic Hemangiomas: An Assessment of Effectiveness.

Simple Summary: The article explores an innovative treatment for large liver tumors known as giant hepatic hemangiomas. These tumors, although typically benign, can cause significant health issues and symptoms, necessitating effective treatment methods. This study focuses on the use of a specific technique called superselective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), utilizing a bleomycin–lipiodol emulsion. The researchers aimed to assess the efficacy of this method in reducing the size of these tumors and alleviating the associated symptoms. The findings of this research are important because they provide insights into a less-invasive alternative to surgical treatment for giant hepatic hemangiomas. This study demonstrates that this technique has a high rate of technical success, with a significant reduction in tumor size observed in the majority of cases. Importantly, this approach also appears to have a manageable safety profile. The results of this study could have a significant impact on the medical community's approach to treating giant hepatic hemangiomas, offering a potentially safer and more effective treatment option than traditional surgical methods. This study evaluates the effectiveness of superselective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) using a bleomycin–lipiodol emulsion in treating giant hepatic hemangiomas. A retrospective review included 31 patients with a mean age of 53 ± 10.42 years who underwent TACE from December 2014 to October 2022, with follow-up imaging examinations to assess outcomes. Technical success was defined as successful embolization of all feeding arteries, and clinical success was defined as a reduction in hemangioma volume by 50% or more on follow-up imaging. This study observed a 100% technical success rate. Post-embolization syndrome was common, and two cases of asymptomatic hepatic artery dissection were noted. Clinical success was achieved in 80.6% of patients, with significant volume reduction observed in the majority. Conclusively, superselective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with bleomycin–lipiodol emulsions is presented as a viable and effective treatment option for giant hepatic hemangiomas. With no procedure-related mortality and significant volume reduction in most cases, this method offers a promising alternative to surgical intervention. This study's findings suggest a need for further exploration and validation in larger-scale prospective studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]