TRANSCATHETER EMBOLIZATION OF SYMPTOMATIC HEPATIC VENOUS MALFORMATIONS

The aim of this study was to evaluate our results in treatment and man agement of symptomatic hepatic venous malformations using transcathete r embolization therapy. From 1991 to 1997 five venous malformations we re embolized in one man and four ea ranging in age from 31 to 50 years . All patients presented nonspecific abdominal pain and were asd in th e general surgery unit. Percutaneous embolization was recommended. In all cases polyvinyl alcohol was used to embolize the afferent arteriol es. Clinical and echographic control follow-up was carried out on an o utpatient basis in our Vascular and Interventional Radiology Unit. Emb olization was possible in all cases. No complications developed during procedure, except in one case where the subject suffered a spasm of t he hepatic artery. Mean follow-up time was 42 months (6-73 months). Fo ur patients remained asymptomatic during the entire follow-up period, whereas one patient required reembolization. In our experience, transc atheter embolization of hepatic venous malformations is a noninvasive technique which requires few admissions and presents few complications . With further use, it could become the treatment of choice in symptom atic hepatic venous malformations as an alternative to surgery.