Control of hepatic tumor hemorrhage by transcatheter embolization with Ethibloc.

Two patients with abdominal hemorrhage from a hepatic tumor underwent transcatheter embolization using Ethibloc. The hemorrhage ceased rapidly in both patients. No complications related to the embolization procedure were observed. One patient is doing well after 4 years. The second patient died of extensive metastatic disease eleven weeks after embolization. Control angiography after 14 months and 2 weeks, respectively, demonstrated persistent occlusion of the embolized hepatic arteries. Ethibloc offers the advantage of permanent vascular occlusion and appears to be a safe and effective embolization material for partial occlusion of the hepatic arteries.