In the past five years, 16 adults (10 females, age years, mean 48) with giant cavernous hemangioma of the liver measuring 15-31 cm (mean-19) underwent surgery in a single Institution. Diagnosis was made with the help of multimodal investigations-ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), hepatic angiography, hepatic scintigraphy and fine needle biopsy. Ultrasound and CT had sensitivities of 69% and 82% respectively. Fourteen had preoperative selective hepatic artery embolization to study its effect on operative blood loss. Indication for surgery in all cases was a large abdominal mass with varying severity of pain. In addition, 5 had hemetological and/or coagulation abnormalities, hemobilia in and pyrexia in 1. Seven left lobectomies, 3 left lateral segmentectomies, 2 right lobectomies, 2 right trisegmentectomies and 4 non-anatomical resections of to 3 segments were performed. Postoperative complications developed in 25% with no operative mortality. Preoperative selective hepatic artery embolization helped to decrease the operative hemorrhage in 13 (mean blood loss-1146 ml). In two cases severe bleeding required use of Cell-saver and massive donor blood transfusion. Our results suggest use of preoperative selective hepatic artery embolization and Cell-saver as an adjunct to the liver resection for these vascular tumors.
Poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) particles of cylindrical and spherical shape were developed as a preparation for tumor treatment or control of hemorrhage by blocking their blood supply. In this report, PHEMA particles were used for the management of hemobilia, that is, bleeding into biliary passages. The origin of hemobilia in 31 patients was localized by selective angiography. With the objective of prophylaxy of hemorrhage, selective embolization with PHEMA particles of the branches of the hepatic artery responsible for the supply of blood to the focus of damage was used in 18 patients. This low-trauma method allowed either a complete control of bleeding or, at least, intraoperative blood loss was reduced more than twice. Histological investigation of the occluded blood vessels showed that the thrombus was attached to the particles and was reinforced by the porous structure of the polymer. A hypercoagulation reaction was observed in the postembolization period. This allowed correction of the hypocoagulation in the hemostasis system.
Thirty-four patients suffering from various kinds of tumors, including metastasis, were treated by selective embolization with both spherical and cylindrical poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [poly(HEMA)] particles and topical chemotherapy. Treatment of a patient with carcinoid metastases in the liver is discussed. Immediately after embolization, 5-fluorouracil, and later, doxorubicin and Lipiodol, were selectively infused into the tumorous tissue for approximately 1 week. Patient received four cycles of this infusion. Chemoembolization proceeded against the background of anticoagulant therapy using small doses of heparin or its low-molecular-weight analogue, dalteparin. This was followed by transcutaneous transhepatic portography and embolization. Finally, the tumor-feeding artery and portal vein were sealed by a hydrogel. After 1.5 months, the affected liver lobe was resected. Although 4 years from the beginning of treatment, the patient is still alive. Embolization with poly(HEMA) hydrogel particles in conjunction with an anticancer drug infusion via catheter is recommended as an efficient method of tumor treatment. The therapeutic effect has been shown to be a function of ischemia and slow local infusion of drug into the tumor, and systemic drug levels can be kept low.
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