title: Hepatic artery embolisation--new approach for treatment of malignant carcinoid syndrome.
abstract: A transcatheter embolisation was carried out for treatment of a patient suffering from hepatic metastases of a malignant carcinoid tumour. Recurrent and very severe carcinoid symptoms could be observed; a bronchial carcinoid supposingly the primary tumour without characteristic symptoms was removed six years before. The carcinoid symptoms became resistant to pharmacological agents and finally ended in life-threatening clinical complications. The transcatheter hepatic artery embolisation was successfully performed and repeated three months later. After embolisation relief of carcinoid symptom and a significant decrease in 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) urinary excretion lasting for eight months could be observed. There were no serious complications with adequate pharmacological cover, however, a transient fever, leucocytosis, abdominal pain and an increase in serum transaminase activities occurred after the procedure. The transcatheter hepatic artery embolisation should be a method of choice for treatment of patients with carcinoid metastases producing severe carcinoid symptoms resistant to pharmacological agents.
mesh_terms: D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000652:urine; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D008303:Malignant Carcinoid Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid