Preoperative portal vein embolization with a new liquid embolic agent.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a new liquid embolic agent in preoperative portal vein embolization.


METHODS
Embol-78 was obtained by means of hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate and was dissolved in a mixture of ethanol and nonionic water-soluble contrast medium. After percutaneous puncture of the portal vein, embolization of the right portal vein was performed in 22 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and in 29 patients with nonhepatocellular carcinoma. In each group, changes in volume of the future liver remnant, portal venous pressure, and liver enzymes were evaluated both before and after embolization. Complications were also evaluated.


RESULTS
Portal vein embolization was successful in all patients, without major complications. The mean volumes of the future liver remnant before and 2 weeks after embolization were 385 mL +/- 138 and 533 mL +/- 140, respectively, in the hepatocellular carcinoma group and 517 mL +/- 348 and 755 mL +/- 197, respectively, in the nonhepatocellular carcinoma group. There were only transient elevations in liver enzyme levels after embolization. Mean portal venous pressures before and after the procedure were 16.7 mm Hg +/- 3.8 and 20.3 mm Hg +/- 3.6, respectively, in the hepatocellular carcinoma group and 11.7 mm Hg +/- 3.5 and 14.6 mm Hg +/- 3.6, respectively, in the nonhepatocellular carcinoma group. In each group, changes in volume of the future liver remnant and portal venous pressure were statistically significant (P <.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The liquid embolic material Embol-78 seems to be effective and safe for preoperative portal vein embolization.
Ko
Gi-Young
GY
Department of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 388-1 Poongnap-Dong, Songpa-Ku, Seoul 138-736, Korea.
Sung
Kyu-Bo
KB
Yoon
Hyun-Ki
HK
Kim
Jeong-Ho
JH
Weon
Young Cheol
YC
Song
Ho-Young
HY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000628:therapy*; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011169:Portal Vein; D011300:Preoperative Care
D011145:Polyvinyls