Pulmonary lipiodol embolism during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatoblastoma under general anaesthesia

Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2000 Nov;17(11):704-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2346.2000.00759.x.

Abstract

We present a case of pulmonary embolism that occurred during the injection of lipiodol during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization under general anaesthesia. A 7-year-old child suffering from a large hepatoblastoma was admitted for arterial chemoembolization and carcinostatic administration. Pulmonary embolism due to lipiodol during arterial chemoembolization was evident by a sudden fall in oxyhaemoglobin saturation from 100 to 90%. This was associated with a spread of lipiodol into both lungs, particularly the middle lung zones and detected by chest fluoroscopy. Arterial blood gases returned to normal values 1 day later but pulmonary infiltration persisted for 7 days before final clearance. Pulmonary embolism caused by lipiodol during arterial chemoembolization is infrequent, but such a complication could prove fatal. Understanding the risk of pulmonary embolism in patients receiving lipiodol, during and after arterial chemoembolization, and late onset pulmonary injury is important and a close follow-up for several days after arterial chemoembolization is advisable.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Catheterization, Peripheral
  • Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / adverse effects*
  • Child
  • Contrast Media / adverse effects*
  • Critical Care
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Fluoroscopy
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatoblastoma / blood supply
  • Hepatoblastoma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Iodized Oil / adverse effects*
  • Liver Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Oxygen / blood
  • Oxyhemoglobins / analysis
  • Positive-Pressure Respiration
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology*
  • Radiography, Interventional

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Contrast Media
  • Oxyhemoglobins
  • Iodized Oil
  • Doxorubicin
  • pirarubicin
  • Oxygen