Preoperative portal vein embolization for Gaint Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis

Abstract

Hepatic echinococcosis, characterized by tumor-like infiltrative growth, is fatal if appropriate treatment is not undertaken on time. Surgical resection is still the most effective treatment for early stage patients. However, due to asymptomatic progression, many patients miss the opportunity to have the lesion removed. In this paper, we report a new method to treat a patient with giant hepatic echinococcosis. Based on preoperative portal vein embolization of the right portal venous branches, a radical right trisectionectomy of hepatic segment with complete removal of the giant lesion was performed successfully without any postoperative complications. To our knowledge, currently there is no report on the use of preoperative portal vein embolization to treat Hepatic echinococcosis.