Hepatic artery embolization of experimental hepatic tumors with absolute ethanol.

Hepatic artery embolization with absolute ethanol (HAEE) was done in rats and rabbits with experimentally induced liver tumors, and its effects on liver parenchyma and tumors were analyzed microscopically in comparison with those of controls. HAEE with 0.1 ml in rats brought massive tumor necrosis and minimal damage to liver parenchyma. But HAEE with 0.15 ml in rabbits induced moderate to massive necrosis of liver parenchyma with minimal to moderate tumor necrosis. Damage to the intrahepatic bile ductules was also seen in both animals. Many problems should be resolved before clinical use.