Complications of chemoembolization for hepatic neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: To present a safe and effective approach to chemoembolization for hepatic neoplasms, and to discuss the complications of chemoembolization and ways of avoiding them.

METHODS: The techniques and experience described herein are based on clinical practice at Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, Hubei, China, where over 200 chemoembolization procedures are performed yearly, and on the results of an intensive review of 1054 chemoembolization procedures performed between July 1997 and December 2005.

RESULTS: There were complications as follow: 5 cases with celiac artery branch embolization, gastric uptake in 4, 6 with gallbladder uptake and infarction, splenic uptake and infarction in 8, liver infarction and abscess formation in 3, and hepatorenal syndrome in 4, liver rupture in 2, lung uptake in 6, and spinal cord injury in 2 cases.

CONCLUSION: There are numerous potential errors and complications associated with chemoembolization for unresectable liver tumors. A good understanding of the congenital and acquired variations of arterial anatomy that may be seen supplying the liver is required.