Superselective Transarterial Chemoembolization as an Alternative to Surgery in Symptomatic/Enlarging Liver Hemangiomas

Transarterial embolization of liver hemangiomas has not been considered to be consistently effective.The charts of 25 patients who underwent superselective transarterial chemoembolization with the bleomycin-lipiodol emulsion were evaluated retrospectively.Twenty-two patients had abdominal pain; asymptomatic/vaguely symptomatic enlargement was the treatment indication in three patients. A single session was conducted in 17 patients, two sessions in 7 and three sessions in one. After the first session, lesion volume decreased by median (range) 51% (10-92%) from median (range) 634 (226-8435) to 372(28-4710) cmTransarterial chemoembolization with the bleomycin-lipiodol emulsion is a potential alternative to surgery for symptomatic/enlarging liver hemangiomas. Volume reduction is universal, and symptom control is satisfactory. Centrally located and very large (1000 cm