Super-selective hepatic artery embolization and bleomycin in treatment of liver hemangioma

Objective To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of super-selective hepatic artery embolization (TAE) and bleomycin hydrochloride in treatment of liver hemangioma. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 132 patients treated for liver hemangioma from January 2011 to December 2014. The patients underwent super-selective TAE. There were 26 men and 106 women. The age ranged from 29.0 to 65.0 (46.0±8.0) years. An emulsion of iodized oil and bleomycin and polyvinyl alcohol particle (PVA) was used for the TAE. Routine follow-up visits on post-treatment Days 3 and 7 were carried out to detect complications and changes in liver function. The diameters of the lesions pre-TAE and at 6, 12 and every 12 months thereafter were monitored. Results TAE was technically successful in all these patients. The range of follow-up was 3~6 years. The successful rates of treatment at 6 month, 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months, were 100%, 100%, 96.9% and 90.6%, respectively. Conclusion TAE with an emulsion of iodized oil and bleomycin and PVA was a safe and efficacious treatment for liver hemangioma on long-term follow-up. Key words: Liver hemangioma; Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE); Angiography, digital subtraction