[Long-term results of local ethanol injection therapy in the treatment of hemangiomatosis of the liver].

During the period from 1989 till 1998 local ethanol injection therapy (LEIT) was used in treatment of 37 patients aged 39-78. The multiple focused form of hemangioma of the liver was observed in 15 (41%) patients, solitary in 20 (54%), the diffuse-focused in 2 (5%) patients. The distribution of the tumors according to the histological structure was as follows: cavernous hemangioma in 22 (60%) patients, capillary--in 2 (5%) patients, mixed in 13 (35%). Local injection therapy was the only method of treatment of 17 patients. In 13 patients this method gave insufficiently effective embolization of the hepatic artery, in 2 patients the injection therapy was combined with ligation of the hepatic artery and in 5 patients--with resection of the liver because of another tumor. The volume of a single use of ethanol varied from 6 to 60 ml. Long-term results were followed-up during 3-6 years. By the data of USI, CT, NMR in all the patients there were changes in the tumor typical of fibrosis. Positive results of the treatment such as a reduced size of hemangioma were noted in 27 patients (73.0%), pains disappeared in 10 out of 29 patients (35%) who had pain syndrome. A conclusion is made that local ethanol injection therapy with 96% ethyl alcohol is effective in treatment of hemangioma of the liver. It gives good long-term results including a combination with the endovascular treatment and resection of the liver.