Abstract

AIM: The feasibility and effectiveness of percutaneous ethanol injection in hepatocellular carcinoma were evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We treated 23 patients with sonographically guided percutaneous injection of ethanol. The patients were divided in two groups according to the tumor size (less than 3 cm and larger than 3 cm). The complete necrosis of tumor and recurrence rate were compared. RESULTS: The complete necrosis rate was (92%) in fırst and (66%) in the other group. Recurrence rate was (14%) in smailer and (33%) in larger tumors. Minör complication was seen in four patients (17 percent). Mortality was (14%) in tumors less than 3 cm, and (33%) in the other group. CONCLUSION: We think that percutaneous ethanol injection with local anesthesia is a feasible and effective treatment method especially in small hepatocellular tumors.