PORTAL-VEIN EMBOLIZATION WITH ETHANOL INJECTION VIA A FINE-NEEDLE IN DOGS

We devised a method for portal vein embolization with ethanol injectio n (PVEEI) via a fine needle. Both the efficacy and safety of this proc edure were evaluated in 28 dogs. An embolization of the left central a nd lateral lobes was undertaken with various doses of absolute (95%) e thanol. The smallest dose, 0.25 ml/kg ethanol (n = 7), caused the leas t damage to the liver, but the embolization was not complete. At the h ighest dose at 1.0 ml/kg, four of the seven dogs died of respiratory a rrest; however, embolization was complete in the remaining dogs. All a nimals tolerated the procedure by 0.5 ml/kg ethanol (n = 11) with a sa tisfactory embolic effect, slight toxicity to the hepatic parenchyma, and only transient changes in liver function. The results suggested th at PVEEI is safe and effective when a suitable dose of ethanol is admi nistered. Local overembolization occurred in one dog due to extension of the thrombus, suggesting that the point of puncture should not be n ear the confluence of the branches. Since a selective portal venous pu ncture is not difficult to perform under sonographic guidance, PVEEI i s expected to be clinically applied.