Treatment of carcinoid liver metastases by hepatic-artery embolisation.

Two patients with multiple hepatic carcinoid metastases experienced considerable symptomatic relief after the hepatic artery was embolised with fragments of absorbable gelatin sponge administered through a percutaneous arterial catheter. With adequate pharmacological cover the technique is a safe, effective, and relatively painless treatment for a condition which is usually very difficult to manage.