Complications associated with transcatheter arterial embolization for hepatic tumors

Radiographics. 1998 May-Jun;18(3):605-19. doi: 10.1148/radiographics.18.3.9599386.

Abstract

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is widely used in the treatment of hepatic tumors. A total of 2,300 TAE procedures were performed with a 2-15-mL injection of a mixture or suspension of anticancer drugs and iodized oil, followed by administration of gelatin sponge particles. One or two chemotherapeutic drugs, including doxorubicin hydrochloride (10-30 mg), epirubicin hydrochloride (10-30 mg), mitomycin C (10-20 mg), and cisplatin (25-100 mg), were used for each procedure. Complications were encountered in 4.4% of cases (n = 102) and were related to the use of chemoembolic agents or the manipulation of a catheter or guide wire. These complications included acute hepatic failure (n = 6), liver infarction (n = 4) or abscess (n = 5), intrahepatic biloma (n = 20), multiple intrahepatic aneurysms (n = 6), cholecystitis (n = 7), splenic infarction (n = 2), gastrointestinal mucosal lesions (n = 5), pulmonary embolism or infarction (n = 4), tumor rupture (n = 1), variceal bleeding (n = 3), and iatrogenic dissection (n = 35) or perforation (n = 4) of the celiac artery and its branches. Knowledge of these complications is important for correct diagnosis and appropriate management.

MeSH terms

  • Angiography
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / therapy*
  • Embolization, Therapeutic / adverse effects*
  • Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable / administration & dosage
  • Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable / adverse effects*
  • Hepatic Artery
  • Humans
  • Iodized Oil / administration & dosage
  • Iodized Oil / adverse effects*
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Iodized Oil