INTRAPERITONEAL HEMORRHAGE DUE TO SPONTAN EOUS RUPTURE OF HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA - EFFICIENCY AND PROGNOSIS FACTORS OF ARTERIAL HEPATIC EMBOLIZATION

To assess efficiency and to determine prognostic factors in emergency embolization for intraperitoneal hemorrhage from hepatocellular carcin oma we retrospectively analyzed 12 consecutive procedures. In order to evaluate the extension of tumor thrombus in the intrahepatic portal s ystem before embolization, a portal perfusion rate was defined as the relative patency of the segmental portal veins demonstrated at arterio graphy. Serum bilirubin level and portal perfusion rate were correlate d with length of survival. Successfull hemostasis was achieved in all patients. Mean length of survival was 149 days. Two patients are still alive 545 and 195 days, respectively, after the procedure. A signific ant correlation (p=0,005) between portal perfusion rate and length of survival was obtained. There was no correlation between serum bilirubi n level and prognosis. Emergency embolization is an effective treateme nt in patients with intraperitoneal hemorrhage from hepatocellular car cinoma. Prognosis depends of portal perfusion rate.