Acute pancreatitis after embolization of liver tumors: frequency and associated risk factors

Necrotizing Pancreatitis After Bland Embolization of a Large Hepatic Hemangioma

Liver embolization is a common procedure for management of liver lesions. Embolization can be performed using only an embolic material or along with chemotherapy agents. Infrequent complications seen postliver embolization include pulmonary thromboembolism, hepatic infarct, liver abscess, liver failure, ischemic biliary strictures, and less frequently pancreatic damage (incidence of 1.7%). We describe a case of necrotizing pancreatitis after bland embolization of a large hepatic hemangioma. The exact mechanisms of acute pancreatitis after liver embolization are uncertain, although direct ischemic mechanisms, toxic effects of antineoplastic agents, and volume of embospheres used are believed to play a role.

Complications Related to Transarterial Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review

Currently, various types of transarterial treatments are performed for hepatocellular carcinoma from the early to advanced stages. Its indications and efficacy have been widely investigated. However, procedure-related complications have not been updated in the literature, although new types of transarterial treatments, such as drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization and transarterial radioembolization, are common in daily practice. Herein, a comprehensive literature review was carried out, and complications were organized according to the organs affected and treatment modalities.

Immobilized thrombin on X-ray radiopaque polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan embolic microspheres for precise localization and topical blood coagulation

Trans-catheter arterial embolization (TAE) plays an important role in treating various diseases. The available embolic agents lack X-ray visibility and do not prevent the reflux phenomenon, thus hindering their application for TAE therapy. Herein, we aim to develop a multifunctional embolic agent that combines the X-ray radiopacity with local procoagulant activity. The barium sulfate nanoparticles (BaSO₄ NPs) were synthesized and loaded into the polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan (PVA/CS) to prepare the radiopaque BaSO₄/PVA/CS microspheres (MS). Thereafter, thrombin was immobilized onto the BaSO₄/PVA/CS MS to obtain the thrombin@BaSO₄/PVA/CS MS. The prepared BaSO₄/PVA/CS MS were highly spherical with diameters ranging from 100 to 300 μm. In vitro CT imaging showed increased X-ray visibility of BaSO₄/PVA/CS MS with the increased content of BaSO₄ NPs in the PVA/CS MS. The biocompatibility assessments demonstrated that the MS were non-cytotoxic and possessed permissible hemolysis rate. The biofunctionalized thrombin@BaSO₄/PVA/CS MS showed improved hemostatic capacity and facilitated hemostasis in vitro. Additionally, in vivo study performed on a rabbit ear embolization model confirmed the excellent X-ray radiopaque stability of the BaSO₄/PVA/CS MS. Moreover, both the BaSO₄/PVA/CS and thrombin@BaSO₄/PVA/CS MS achieved superior embolization effects with progressive ischemic necrosis on the ear tissue and induced prominent ultrastructural changes in the endothelial cells. The findings of this study suggest that the developed MS could act as a radiopaque and hemostatic embolic agent to improve the embolization efficiency.

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Excellent in vitro and in vivo visibility of BaSO₄/PVA/CS MS.

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Excellent cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility of BaSO₄/PVA/CS MS.

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Enhanced hemostatic capacity and hemostasis of thrombin@BaSO₄/PVA/CS MS.

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Potential application of thrombin@BaSO₄/PVA/CS MS for in vivo embolization.

Temperature-induced configuration changes in hydrogel-coated coils and their relevance in embolization procedures

Background

The present study attempted to demonstrate how the configuration of hydrogel-coated coils is influenced by different temperature exposures.

Thirty detachable hydrogel-coated coils were evaluated in an in vitro water immersion test under five different temperature ranges (22.6 °C, 37 °C, 40–50 °C, 50–60 °C, and 60–70 °C). The configuration changes were classified (configuration I, configuration II, and configuration III) according to the curling that occurred during 30 min of immersion. Configuration stability of five Hydrogel-coated coils was also evaluated in a two-step temperature immersion test.

Results

All hydrogel-coated coils showed some configuration changes during water immersion. However, a logarithmic transformation of the time and temperature data showed a significant (p < 0.05) negative linear correlation between time and temperature for all coil configurations (configuration I: R = 0.97, configuration II: R = 0.98, configuration III: R = 0.97). The time needed to reach configuration III (complete coiling) was 160.4 ± 41.9 s at 37.5 °C (range: 100–205 s), 45.7 ± 22.2 s at 47.5 °C (range: 23–70 s), 20.2 ± 7.2 s at 57.5 °C (range: 14–32 s), and 10.3 ± 2.4 s at 67.5 °C (range: 7–13 s).

Conclusions

Temperatures above 55 °C induced immediate configurational changes in the hydro-coated coils, achieving complete curling within less than 30 s. Temperatures near 36 °C (normal body temperature) require more time to reach optimal coil curling (configuration III). The optimization of HydroCoil preparation can reduce interventional procedural time and improve clinical results.

LifePearl microspheres loaded with irinotecan in the treatment of Liver-dominant metastatic colorectal carcinoma: feasibility, safety and pharmacokinetic study

To evaluate pharmacokinetic and safety profile of LifePearl microspheres loaded with irinotecan (LifePearl-IRI) in the treatment of liver-dominant, metastatic colorectal carcinoma (LM-CRC) by transarterial chemoembolization. In a prospective, multicentre pharmacokinetic study, 14 patients with LM-CRC progressing on at least one line of chemotherapy were treated with LifePearl-IRI. Six patients received unilobar treatment, treating one lobe per session with 100 mg of irinotecan every 2 weeks. Eight patients received bilobar treatment, treating two lobes per session with 100 mg of irinotecan each (200 mg in total), every 4 weeks. At 24 h, near complete plasma clearance occurred for both irinotecan and SN-38, regardless of the dose. Mean plasma Cmax(100 mg) was 254.50 ± 104.17 ng/mL for irinotecan and 46.72 ± 13.75 ng/mL for SN-38. Mean Cmax(200 mg) was 970.09 ± 353.75 ng/mL for irinotecan and 118.45 ± 25.11 ng/mL for SN-38. Significantly higher Cmax-iri(200 mg) than Cmax-iri (100 mg) supported rate-limiting irinotecan-to-SN-38 conversion. Adverse events during the first 30 days upon initial treatment were hypertension in 21.4%, abdominal pain in 14.3%, and increased transaminases and fever in 7.1% of patients. Four serious adverse events were noted: respiratory failure, constipation, necrotizing pancreatitis, and ischaemic cholecystitis. Chemoembolization with LifePearl-IRI is technically feasible and relatively well tolerated, with a good pharmacokinetic profile and minimal systemic exposure of both irinotecan and SN-38, after both unilobar and bilobar treatment with 100 or 200 mg, respectively.

Pancreas lipiodol embolism induced acute necrotizing pancreatitis following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is recognized as one of the most commonly used modalities for non-surgical treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Ectopic lipiodol embolism is an extremely rare complication of TACE.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 61-year-old man who had a 10-year history of cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B infection was diagnosed with ascites and HCC. Subsequently, the patient underwent TACE. However, he experienced persistent left upper abdominal pain, poor appetite, nausea, moderate fever and accompanied by elevation of serum and urine amylase on the 2nd and 3nd day after treatment.

DIAGNOSES

The patient was diagnosed as having acute hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis based on biochemical and inflammatory markers and CT findings. We deduced that the acute necrotizing pancreatitis was caused by a small branch of the left hepatic artery feeding the pancreas tail and embolizing the drug and lipiodol shunting to the tail of the pancreas.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was treated for 5 days according to the comprehensive treatment of acute necrotizing pancreatitis, by the inhibition of the secretion of pancreatic juice, relieving pain, and total parenteral nutrition and forbidding diet. The symptoms of the patient were observed to improve, and SAMS and urinary amylase (UAMS) level decreased to 143 IU/L and 254 IU/L, respectively and oral diet was permitted.

OUTCOME

After a period of 2 weeks, the contrast abdominal CT showed slightly decreased fluid collection of the peri-pancreatic space. Moreover, it also showed flocculous and linear high-density shadow in the pancreatic tail, suggesting lipiodol deposition in the pancreatic tail. Subsequently, the symptoms were observed to abate, and the patient left the hospital. On the 21st day after TACE, the patient had a follow up in our outpatient department; the biochemical characteristics and inflammatory markers were observed to be normal CONCLUSION:: AP is still a rare complication after TACE. Etiology is still attributed to the occurrence of shunting and embolization drug reflux. Strategies strengthening the catheter tip that is placed as close to the distal branches of the hepatic artery for the possible careful injection of embolic materials is still the key to avoid post-TACE AP.

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis as a fatal complication following DC Bead transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is one of the most effective palliative measures for patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Acute pancreatitis is a rare but well-known complication following TACE. We herein present the case of a patient with HCC who developed fatal complications (acute necrotizing pancreatitis and upper gastrointestinal ulcers) after TACE with DC Beads. The patient was diagnosed with HCC in segments 4 and 8, measuring ~70 mm in greatest diameter, and he was treated by TACE. Hepatic arteriography revealed replacement of the origin of the right hepatic artery to the superior mesenteric artery, while the left hepatic artery originated from the celiac artery. After selection of the segmental arterial branches feeding the tumor, 2 ml of 100-300-µm-sized DC Beads loaded with 150 mg epirubicin were injected through the microcatheter. The patient complained of abdominal pain after the TACE procedure. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed longitudinal ulcers from the esophagus to the duodenum, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed swelling of the pancreas and focal areas of low density in the pancreatic body, suggesting necrosis. The patient developed respiratory insufficiency, renal failure and sepsis, and finally succumbed to the complications 54 days after the procedure, despite general management of the acute pancreatitis. An autopsy revealed that the main cause of the patient's death was extensive pancreatic necrosis due to a gastroduodenal artery embolism after TACE with DC Beads. Therefore, it is crucial for treating physicians to be aware of this complication following TACE with DC Beads, particularly in patients with anatomical variations.

Ischemic Duodenal Ulceration after Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Report

Drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) is a well-established, minimally invasive interventional treatment for nonresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Generally, TACE is regarded as safe and effective with a low complication rate. However, remote gastrointestinal ischemia due to the carryover of embolic material into visceral arteries is a rare but serious complication of TACE. In this report, we present a case of duodenal ulceration with contained perforation and severe necrotizing pancreatitis after TACE in a patient with nonresectable HCC and underlying hepatitis C virus associated with Child-Pugh stage B liver cirrhosis. This patient showed, for the first time, complete endoscopic and clinical recovery within 2 months of conservative treatment. Considering the high mortality rate from surgical intervention in all previously reported patients, the significant recovery potential demonstrated by our case suggests conservative treatment with antibiotics and parenteral nutrition combined with close clinical, radiological, and endoscopic monitoring should be considered in all clinically stable patients without signs of peritonism or septic sequelae.

The impact of transarterial chemoembolization induced complications on outcomes after liver transplantation: A propensity-matched study

BACKGROUND

Loco-regional complications of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) may adversely affect technical aspects of the liver transplantation (LT). This study reviewed the impact of those complications on postoperative outcomes encompassing implications on graft selection.

METHODS

A retrospective, propensity score matching (1:1) analysis accounting for donor and recipient confounders was performed on a dataset of patients undergoing LT for hepatocellular carcinoma. Outcomes of patients who had TACE (TACE-group) were compared with those who did not (NoTACE-group).

RESULTS

A total of 57 matched pairs were analyzed. TACE achieved effective tumor control (Pre-TACE vs Post-TACE; Median: 44 mm [interquartile range: 43-50] vs 17 mm [0-36]; P = .002) on imaging follow-up. TACE group had, at the hepatectomy, higher incidence of ischemia-related complications (adhesions of the necrotic tumor, cholecystitis, and/or bile duct necrosis) (40.4% vs 10.5%; P = .001). Overall major post-LT complications rate (Dindo-Clavien ≥3) were similar (P = .134). Those in the TACE group with donors after circulatory death (DCD) had 4.6% 90-day mortality and 54.3% major complication rate compared to 6.9% and 77.3% (P = .380 and P = .112, respectively).

CONCLUSION

TACE was an effective bridging procedure that may complicate LT inducing ischemic-related complications; nevertheless, it has not shown repercussions on mortality or morbidity after the procedure, even using donors after circulatory death.

Sustained multiple organ ischaemia after transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads for hepatocellular carcinoma

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with drug-eluting beads (DC beads) may enhance drug delivery to tumours and reduce systemic toxicity. TACE with DC beads leads to significantly fewer serious side-effects compared with conventional TACE. A 66-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complained of continuous abdominal pain 1 month after TACE with DC beads. At the time of TACE, angiography revealed severe stenosis of both hepatic arteries. The diagnostic work up on admission suggested severe bile duct injury with regional bile duct dilatation, segmental liver and spleen infarction, necrotizing pancreatitis, as well as gastric and duodenal ulcers. The pathology specimens of the duodenum contained DC beads that had passed through small vessels in the connective tissue. The patient's condition appeared to improve after 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment and supportive care, but new multifocal liver and spleen infarction subsequently developed. After 2 months, he was well enough to be discharged. His HCC partially responded to the TACE with DC beads but eventually progressed and he died after 11 months. The present case report highlights unexpected ongoing multiple organ ischaemia in a 66-year-old man treated for HCC using TACE with DC beads. The use of TACE with DC beads should be carefully considered in patients with vascular strictures or aberrant blood supply.

Acute pancreatitis as a complication of trans-arterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular cancer-case report and review of literature

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a therapeutic procedure often performed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Local complications, though generally uncommon, can arise from arterial ischemia and local cytotoxicity from the chemotherapeutic delivery. We present a case of acute pancreatitis as a rare complication of the TACE procedure along with a review of literature of this uncommon adverse effect.

Extrahepatic Arteries Originating from Hepatic Arteries: Analysis Using CT During Hepatic Arteriography and Visualization on Digital Subtraction Angiography

PURPOSE

To investigate the prevalence and site of origin of extrahepatic arteries originating from hepatic arteries on early phase CT during hepatic arteriography (CTHA) was accessed. Visualization of these elements on digital subtraction hepatic angiography (DSHA) was assessed using CTHA images as a gold standard.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 943 patients (mean age 66.9 ± 10.3 years; male/female, 619/324) underwent CTHA and DSHA. The prevalence and site of origin of extrahepatic arteries were accessed using CTHA and visualized using DSHA.

RESULTS

In 924 (98.0%) patients, a total of 1555 extrahepatic branches, representing eight types, were found to originate from hepatic arteries on CTHA. CTHA indicated the following extrahepatic branch prevalence rates: right gastric artery, 890 (94.4%); falciform artery, 386 (40.9%); accessory left gastric artery, 161 (17.1%); left inferior phrenic artery (IPA), 43 (4.6%); posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery, 33 (3.5%); dorsal pancreatic artery, 26 (2.8%); duodenal artery, 12 (1.3%); and right IPA, 4 (0.4%). In addition, 383 patients (40.6%) had at least one undetectable branch on DSHA. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of visualization on DSHA were as follows: RGA, 80.0, 86.8, and 80.4%; falciform artery, 53.9, 97.7, and 80.0%; accessory LGA, 64.6, 98.6, and 92.3%; left IPA, 76.7, 99.8, and 98.7%; PSPDA, 100, 99.7, and 99.9%; dorsal pancreatic artery, 57.7, 100, and 98.8%; duodenal artery, 8.3, 99.9, and 98.7%; and right IPA, 0, 100, and 99.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Extrahepatic arteries originating from hepatic arteries were frequently identified on CTHA images. These arteries were frequently overlooked on DSHA.

Acute pancreatitis induced by transarterial chemoembolization: a single-center experience of over 1500 cases

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis is a relatively rare but potentially lethal complication after transarterial chemotherapy. This study aimed to review the complications such as acute pancreatitis after transarterial chemotherapy with or without embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

A total of 1632 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who had undergone transarterial chemoembolization from January 2000 to February 2014 in a single-center were reviewed retrospectively. We investigated the potential complications of transarterial chemoembolization, such as acute pancreatitis and acute pancreatitis-related complications.

RESULTS

Of the 1632 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who had undergone 5434 transarterial chemoembolizations, 1328 were male and 304 female. The median age of these patients was 61 years. Most (79.6%) of the patients suffered from HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma. The median tumor size was 5.2 cm. Of the 1632 patients, 145 patients underwent transarterial chemoembolization with doxorubicin eluting bead, making up a total of 538 episodes. The remaining patients underwent transarterial chemoembolization with cisplatin. Seven (0.4%) patients suffered from acute pancreatitis post-chemoembolization. Six patients had chemoembolization with doxorubicin and one had chemoembolization with cisplatin. Patients who received doxorubicin eluting bead had a higher risk of acute pancreatitis [6/145 (4.1%) vs 1/1487 (0.1%), P<0.0001]. Two patients had anatomical arterial variations. Four patients developed acute pancreatitis-related complications including necrotizing pancreatitis (n=3) and pseudocyst formation (n=1). All of the 4 patients resolved after the use of antibiotics and other conservative treatment. Three patients had further transarterial chemoembolization without any complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute pancreatitis after transarterial chemoembolization could result in serious complications, especially after treatment with doxorubicin eluting bead. Continuation of current treatment with transarterial chemoembolization after acute pancreatitis is feasible providing the initial attack is completely resolved.

Cancer therapy related complications in the liver, pancreas, and biliary system: an imaging perspective

Awareness of cancer therapy-induced toxicities is important for all clinicians treating patients with cancer. Cancer therapy has evolved to include classic cytotoxic agents in addition to newer options such as targeted agents and catheter-directed chemoembolisation. Several adverse affects can result from the wide array of treatments including effects on the liver, pancreas, and biliary system that can be visualised on imaging. These complications include sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, fatty liver, pseudocirrhosis, acute hepatitis, pancreatitis, pancreatic atrophy, cholecystitis, biliary sclerosis, and biliary stasis. Many of these toxicities are manageable and reversible with supportive therapies and/or cessation of cancer therapy. The objective of this review is to discuss the imaging findings associated with cancer therapy-induced toxicity of the liver, biliary system, and pancreas.

TEACHING POINTS

• Cancer therapy can have adverse effects on the hepatobiliary system and pancreas. • Cancer therapy-induced toxicities can be visualised on imaging. • Knowledge of imaging changes associated with cancer therapy complications can improve treatment.

Acute pancreatitis after transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma with drug-eluting beads

Nontarget embolization is a relatively common cause of post-chemoembolization complications. Clinical presentation following nontarget embolization varies from minimal to fatal, and oftentimes relates to the vascular distribution embolized rather than the amount or type of embolic agent. Post-chemoembolization pancreatitis is an uncommon complication, but one that is known to occur. The following manuscript presents a case of post-chemoembolization pancreatitis, and suggests methods to decrease this complication as well as treatment once the complication occurs.

Transarterial chemoembolization using gelatin sponges or microspheres plus lipiodol-doxorubicin versus doxorubicin-loaded beads for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective

To retrospectively compare treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using gelatin sponges or microspheres plus lipiodol-doxorubicin vs. doxorubicin-loaded drug-eluting beads (DEB).

Materials and Methods

A total of 158 patients with HCC received TACE from November 2010 to November 2011 were enrolled in this study, including 64 (40.5%) received TACE with lipiodol-doxorubicin and gelatin sponges (group A), 41 (25.9%) received TACE with lipiodol-doxorubicin and microspheres (group B), and 53 (33.5%) received TACE with doxorubicin-loaded DEB (group C). Tumor response and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated.

Results

No significant difference was found at baseline among the three groups. The doxorubicin dosage in group C was significantly (p < 0.001) higher compared to the dose used in groups A or B (median, 50 mg vs. 31 mg or 25 mg). Significantly (p < 0.001) more patients in group C achieved complete response compared to those in groups A or B (32.1% vs. 6.3% or 2.4%). Significantly (p < 0.001) less patients in group C had progressive disease compared to those in groups A or B (34.0% vs. 57.8% or 68.3%). Minor AEs were more common in groups A and B compared to group C, with rates of 54.7%, 34.1%, and 5.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

In patients with HCC, TACE with DEB offers better safety and efficacy profiles compared to either TACE with gelatin sponges or TACE with microspheres.

A case of necrotizing pancreatitis subsequent to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma

Necrotizing pancreatitis is one of the rare complications of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Necrotizing pancreatitis after TACE may result from the development of ischemia caused by regurgitation of embolic materials into the vessels supplying the pancreas. We report a case of post-TACE necrotizing pancreatitis with abscess formation in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient had suffered hepatic artery injury due to repetitive TACE; during his 25th TACE procedure he had submitted to selective catheterization of the feeding vessel from the dorsal pancreatic artery with a cytotoxic agent and Gelfoam particles. The patient complained of abdominal pain after the TACE procedure, and a CT scan led to a diagnosis of necrotizing pancreatitis with abscess formation. The pancreatic abscess progressed despite general management of the pancreatitis, including antibiotics. Percutaneous catheter drainage was performed, and the symptoms of the patient improved.

Nontarget embolization complicating transarterial chemoembolization in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma

Nontarget embolization during transarterial chemoembolization, although infrequent, can be a serious complication. The authors describe a case of nontarget gastric embolization to the stomach after transarterial chemoembolization and describe the published incidence of nontarget embolization to various organs, its diagnosis, treatment, and possible outcomes.

Acute pancreatitis after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for liver metastases of carcinoid tumors

Acute pancreatitis is a rare side effect of non-selective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) of hepatocellular carcinoma with an incidence ranging from 2% (clinical pancreatitis) to 40% (biological pancreatitis). This complication, due to embolization of extrahepatic arterial collaterals, has never been reported for treatment of well-differentiated endocrine carcinoma. We report here a case of acute clinical pancreatitis developing within 24 hours after a first selective TACE into the proper hepatic artery, with two peaks of hyperlypasemia, and intend to discuss its mechanism. Since it may clinically mimic a postembolization syndrome, dosage of serum pancreatic enzymes should be performed systematically in case of abdominal pain following TACE.

Complications of percutaneous procedures

Minimally invasive percutaneous procedures are increasingly being performed by both interventional radiologists and noninterventionalists. Patients with postprocedural issues will likely present to the emergency department for evaluation and treatment. This review focuses on the evaluation and management of the complications of common percutaneous procedures.

Transarterial embolisation of hepatocellular carcinoma with doxorubicin-eluting beads: single centre early experience

Purpose:

This is a retrospective study to evaluate the results of our early experience of using doxorubicin eluting beads (DEB) to treat patients with early and intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Material and methods: A cohort of 19 patients (84.2% male; 15.8% female; mean age 59.2 years ± 11.0; range, 32-80 years) with documented HCC of size 1.8-10cm (mean, 4.0cm ± 1.8 ) undergoing DEB transarterial chembolisation (TACE) was reviewed. All patients had at least one image examination (multiphase computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) after embolisation.

Results:

A total of 32 procedures were performed. The objective response according to the European Association for the Study of the Liver criteria was 57.9% at 1-month, 42.8% at 6-month and 50.0% at 1-year follow up. There were 4 (21.1%) treatment-related complications (1 liver abscess, 2 pancreatitis and 1 tumour rupture) which resulted in 2 deaths. One death occurred 3 weeks after second embolisation, due to ruptured pancreatic pseudocyst, giving a 5.3% 30-day mortality rate. Another patient died 2 months after embolisation caused by tumour rupture. Eight patients received radiofrequency ablation after embolisation for residual or recurrent tumours. The 1-year survival rate in the DEB TACE only group was 80% while the 1- and 2-year survival rate in the group that received radiofrequency after DEB TACE was 85.7% and 100% respectively.

Conclusion:

DEB TACE is safe and effective in select group of patients. Survival may be improved when combined with other treatment modality.

Analysis of nontarget embolization mechanisms during embolization and chemoembolization procedures

Complications of embolization and chemoembolization remain a problem even with the development of low-profile catheter material and the introduction of new embolization agents. In recent years many new embolization materials have become available for clinical use, so the possibilities and limitations of these new materials must be understood to allow safe and effective embolization. Although up to now some scientific work has been published reporting the basic risk of embolization procedures, the underlying pathomechanism remains the object of speculation. Besides complications like drug toxicity, allergic reactions, and bleeding of the puncture site, the characteristics of embolization materials must be known to understand the potential complications of nontarget embolization and reflux of embolization material. This article gives an overview of established and new embolization materials, their potential risks, and the underlying pathophysiology.

Fatal ischemic acute pancreatitis complicating trans-catheter arterial embolization of small hepatocellular carcinoma: do the risks outweigh the benefits?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an accepted indication for liver transplantation (LT). Pre-LT adjuvant ablation treatments to prevent tumour progression and drop out from the waiting list have been increasingly adopted at most transplant centers. Trans-catheter arterial chemo-embolization (TACE) is frequently used, but the procedure can be difficult and severe complications may arise. Among them, acute ischemic pancreatitis occasionally occurs and may clinically mimic a post-embolization syndrome. Fatal outcomes of this complication have been reported exceptionally but never in patients awaiting LT. The present case raises concern about the widespread application of TACE and highlights the need for a critical evaluation of the risks and benefits to patients with monofocal small HCC who are scheduled for LT. Superselective embolization of the tumour-feeding artery and systematic monitoring of serum pancreatic enzymes after this radiological procedure are recommended.