The effect of hepatic artery embolization with Lipiodol (Lp) and Gelatin sponge particles (GSP) on liver tissue was evaluated in 17 dogs embolized with GSP, 12 dogs with Lp and 19 dogs with Lp + GSP. Survival rate and extent of liver damage were used as evaluation criteria. None of the dogs with GSP died during the 4 week period, two exhibited small liver infarctions. Of the dogs with 0.2 to 5 ml/kg Lp, two dogs with 4 ml/kg or 5 ml/kg Lp died of cardiac failure. Gross liver examination did not show any liver infarction. Eight of the 19 dogs with Lp + GSP died of liver failure. Gross examination of the surviving dogs demonstrated infarction in 9 of the 11 livers with 100% incidence in those with 0.2 ml/kg or 0.5 ml/kg Lp. Liver infarction increased in size with the increase of Lp volume. In combination with Lp + GSP, the Lp volume should be less than 0.1 ml/kg.