Multiple-needle insertion method in percutaneous ethanol injection therapy for liver neoplasms

• DOI: 10.1007/bf02779508
• Publication Date: 2018-06-11T23:47:37Z
• Authors: Shuichiro Shiina; Yasuo Hata; Yasuro Niwa; Yutaka Komatsu; Torao Tanaka; Kenta Yoshiura; Eiji Hamada; Masamichi Ohshima; Hiroyuki Mutoh; Masahiro Kurita; Ryo Nakata; Shinichi Ota; Yasushi Shiratori; Akira Terano; Tsuneaki Sugimoto; Makoto Taniguchi; Yoshiki Uta; Hiroaki Tsukahara; Kazumi Tagawa; Tadao Unuma; Takao Kawabe; Ken’ichi Okano
• Keywords: Male; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Ethanol; Needles; Liver Neoplasms; Humans; Female; Middle Aged; 3. Good health

One of the shortcomings of percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) is that many sessions are necessary to accomplish the treatment. In order to reduce the number of treatment sessions, we inserted two or three needles before injection of ethanol was begun. Using the multiple-needle insertion method, we markedly reduced the number of treatment sessions. Histopathologic examination, imaging techniques, and serum alpha-fetoprotein levels showed efficacy of PEIT using the multiple-needle insertion method. No serious complication occurred. Levels of transient pain, fever, and the feeling of intoxication did not seem to be different from those occurring with the conventional method. Multiple-needle insertion method may be valuable as a method for reducing the number of treatment sessions necessary and thus shortening the treatment period.