J Korean Radiol Soc.  1994 Aug;31(2):327-330.

CT Analysis of Intratumoral Gas Formation after Hepatic Tumor Embolization

• Kim HJ
• Chung SH
• Kim HS
• Ahn IO
• Lee G

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the prevalence and the patterns of sterile gas shown at computed tomography(CT) after transarterial embolization(TAE) for primary hepatic tumor.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Among 102 patients who performed TAE for hepatoma, thirty-four in whom follow-up CTwas underwent constituted the basis of our study. At CT, we evaluated the patterns and locations of intratumoral gas. We also reviewed the clinical data to exclude an infectious origin of intratumoral gas.
RESULTS
Of 34 patients, intratumoral gas was detected in 11 patients(32%), in all of whom Gelfoam was used as an embolic material. The initial tumor size measured at pre-TAE CT was larger in patients with intratumoral gas than in patients without it(p < 0.005). No specific patterns or locations of intratumoral gas were noted on CT scans. No patients had clinical signs and symptoms that suggested infection.
CONCLUSION
Intratumoral gas formation without clinical evidence of infection is not an infrequent finding after TAE for hepatoma, especially when Gelfoam is used and when the tumor is large in size. This finding may be a part of postinfarction syndrome and should not be misinterpreted as an postprocedural abscess formation.

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
Follow-Up Studies
Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable
Humans
Prevalence
Tomography, X-Ray Computed