Pulmonary Lipiodol Embolism after Transcatheter Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Author: Woo Ri PARK ¹ ; Jung Tae KIM ; Hye Suk HAN ; Sung Jin KIM ; Kang Hyeon CHOE ; Ki Man LEE ; Jin Young AN
Author Information

1. Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Chungbuk University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea. drahnjy@chungbuk.ac.kr
Publication Type:Case Report
Keywords: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; transcatheter arterial chemoembolization; Pulmonary Embolism; lipiodol
MeSH: Aged; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Dyspnea; Embolism; Ethiodized Oil; Hemoptysis; Humans; Oxygen; Pulmonary Embolism; Thorax
From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2011;71(1):50-54
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:English
Abstract: Pulmonary lipiodol embolism is a rare but very fatal complication of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), Here we present the case of an unusual complication of TACE in a 67-year-old man who presented with dyspnea, hemoptysis, and a history of a third session of TACE for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that had been performed 3 days prior to presenting. On the basis of chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scan findings, we diagnosed pulmonary lipiodol embolism. He was conservatively treated with oxygen and haemostatic agents. The patient recovered quickly without any significant sequela and was discharged.