Hepatic and splenic infarctions: complications of therapeutic transcatheter embolization.
Two cases are described in which therapeutic transcatheter Gelfoam embolization was complicated by fatal hepatic infarction in one patient and splenic infarction with abscess formation in another patient. These are unusual complications of this widely used therapeutic technique. The probable pathophysiology of these complications is discussed and suggestions for managing and avoiding them are made.
D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000150:complications; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy*; D005781:Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable; D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000209:etiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D010438:Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D013159:Splenic Infarction / Q000209:etiology*