Fourteen normal rats were received with percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in the subphrenic region of the liver, using a 22G fine needle, via the thoracic cage. The procedure was successful in all rats. Minor complications were observed in 3 rats: these included pneumothorax, hemorrhage, and pleural effusion. However all complications had disappeared in the follow up CT one week after the procedure. The transthoracic approach is a useful and safe method of PEI for the subphrenic region of the liver.