[Arterial embolization in unresectable cavernous hemangiomas of the liver]

Seven transcatheter hepatic artery embolizations (HAE) were carried out in 4 females with unresectable symptomatic cavernous hemangiomas of the liver. An only complication occurred (acute cholecystitis), treated conservatively. Devascularization of hemangiomas resulted in decrease (3) or disappearance (1) of patients' complaints. Three tumors slightly decreased in size while the rest one remained unchanged. Partial fibrosis of the tumor was seen in two cases. All the patients are alive and well for 1 to 2.2 years after HAE. Such an operation may be useful for palliative treatment of unresectable cavernous hemangiomas of the liver.