Gastrointest Interv.  2018 Jul;7(2):91-93. 10.18528/gii170003.

Lipiodol brain embolism through right inferior phrenic artery-pulmonary vein shunt after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

• Jang EH
• Kim ET
• Choi WS
• Gwon DI

• KMID: 2435049
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18528/gii170003

Abstract

Lipiodol brain embolism is a rare complication associated with transcatheter arterial cheomoembolization (TACE). The present case describes a patient with lipiodol brain embolism who presented with several symptoms, including drowsy mental state, right facial palsy, and weakness in the right upper and lower limbs. The patient's non-enhanced computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings revealed multifocal lipiodol deposition and an acute infarction of the brain. A retrospective review of the angiography findings revealed a right inferior phrenic artery-pulmonary vein shunt, which was not observed during the previous TACE. Three days after TACE, the patient's symptoms improved; however, the extent of the brain hyperintensity had widened further on the following MRI. The patient gradually recovered and was finally discharged.

Keyword

Cerebral; Complication; Lipiodol embolism; Right inferior phrenic arteriopulmonary vein shunt; Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

MeSH Terms

Angiography
Brain*
Ethiodized Oil*
Facial Paralysis
Humans
Infarction
Intracranial Embolism*
Lower Extremity
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Retrospective Studies
Veins*
Ethiodized Oil