Efficacy and safety of percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization with dehydrated ethanol

Purpose: The efficacy and safety of percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization (PTPE) with dehydrated ethanol was determined by measuring the liver lobe volume before and after the procedure. Materials and Methods: A total of 38 patients (25 men, 13 women; mean age: 62.0 ± 10.8 years) who underwent PTPE with dehydrated ethanol between April 2005 and March 2011 participated in this study. Dehydrated ethanol containing 17% lipiodol was injected into the target portal vein branch under balloon occlusion, and the portal vein was subsequently embolized. The liver lobe volume was measured via contrast-enhanced computed tomography, and the percent increase in the unembolized lobe volume was then calculated. In addition, PTPE-related complications were surveyed, and the procedural safety was evaluated. Results: The mean percent increase in the unembolized lobe volume after PTPE was 33.8% ± 20.2%. The procedure could not be completed in one patient because of an insufficient increase in the unembolized lobe volume. No serious post- PTPE complications were observed. Conclusion: These data suggest that PTPE with dehydrated ethanol is a safe and effective method for enlarging the planned residual liver volume before extensive liver resection.