J Korean Radiol Soc.  2002 Dec;47(6):591-595. 10.3348/jkrs.2002.47.6.591.

Massive Tumor Pulmonary Embolism Following Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

• Kim JH
• Ko GY
• Yoon HK
• Sung KB

• KMID: 2103676
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2002.47.6.591

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism complicated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is known to be due to the use of large amount of lipiodol as an embolic agent. To our knowledge, massive tumoral pulmonary embolism following TACE and confirmed by surgery has not been described in the literature. In this report, we detail the case of a 49-year-old man in whom cyanosis and hypotension developed abruptly on the day of TACE. Chest CT revealed diffuse low-attenuated lesions in both pulmonary arteries. Histopathological specimens after emergent pulmonary arterial embolectomy confirmed the presence of massive tumor emboli of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Keyword

Liver neoplasms, chemotherapeutic embolization; Embolism, pulmonary; Liver neoplasms, angiography

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
Cyanosis
Embolectomy
Ethiodized Oil
Humans
Hypotension
Middle Aged
Pulmonary Artery
Pulmonary Embolism*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Ethiodized Oil