Tumor Therapy by Ethanol Injection: Results and Indications

  • T. Livraghi
Conference paper

Abstract

Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) is an inexpensive and easy therapeutic technique performed under ultrasound guidance. Ultrasound real-time control permits recognition of the target, correct centering of the fine needle in the preselected area, and evaluation of the appropriate quantity of ethanol to inject. The toxic effects of ethanol injected into neoplastic lesions have been assessed in animals and on operative specimens from humans. Alcohol enters the cells by diffusion and produces immediate coagulation necrosis followed by the formation of granulation tissue and fibrosis and by partial or complete thrombosis of small vessels. The phenomena are the outcome of cellular dehydration and protein denaturation. Primary and metastatic neoplasms of the liver are the pathologies treated by PEI.

Keywords

Granulation Tissue Ultrasound Guidance Neoplastic Lesion Tumor Therapy Percutaneous Ethanol Injection 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1992

Authors and Affiliations

  • T. Livraghi

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