Transarterial embolization as a therapeutic option for focal nodular hyperplasia in four patients.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of transarterial embolization (TAE) for the treatment of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). Four women with the diagnosis of FNH underwent superselective transarterial embolization with contour particles between 2001 and 2004. The indications were progressive increase in size in three of the patients and abdominal pain in the fourth patient. No immediate or delayed postembolization complications were encountered in any of our patients. All patients presented angiographically with characteristic findings, such as feeding artery, a tumor blush, and septations. In two patients, the embolization resulted in a constant size or volume decrease in the 1-year follow-up. In the other two patients, a complete resolution of the FNH was observed in the MRI follow-up after 1 year. This group presented with a homogeneous devascularization in the immediate postembolization exam. In conclusion, transarterial embolization of focal nodular hyperplasia can be considered as a possible alternative treatment method to surgery.