Transcatheter arterial embolization of experimental hepatic tumours in the rat.

After transcatheter arterial embolization with Spongostan (99.3% gelatin-similar to gelfoam) in a group of rats with experimental hepatic tumours, the angiographic and microscopic findings were compared with those in a group of rats with non-embolized liver tumours. Partial recanalization of the hepatic artery was demonstrated already after 2 to 6 days. Reduced vascularization of tumours could be demonstrated after embolization and in a few animals even decrease in tumour size. Microscopy revealed a significantly greater extent of tumour necrosis in embolized tumours of large size. Necrosis of normal liver tissue was found to a varying degree in the embolized rats, while no ischemic injury was evident in livers of most non-embolized animals.