Tumor devascularization by intratumoral ethanol injection during surgery

Objective To investigate the effects of intratumoral injection of ethanol on tumor devascularization. Methods 7 patients received direct injection of ethanol into either a spinal epidural (1 renal cell carcinoma) or cerebellar neoplasms (4 meningiomas, 1 hemangioblastoma and 1 cavernous angioma) to observe the color, tissue changes and hemorrhage. Results In all 7 patients, intraoperative perfusion of the tumors with ethanol produced immediate blanching within the injected section and bleeding decrease or cease. Conclusion Direct injection of ethanol into the lesion can destroy the vascular bed of the tumor, thus resulting in immediate hemostasia convenient for regional removal of tumor.