title: Complications of percutaneous transhepatic catheterization of the portal vein and its tributaries.
abstract: The complications of percutaneous transhepatic catheterization of the portal vein and its tributaries were assessed in 406 patients in whom 440 examinations had been performed and 8 unsuccessful attempts. Clinically relevant complications consisting of abdominal or external hemorrhage occurred in 24 cases with fatal outcome in 3. Complications involving the right pleural space occurred in 13 patients: collection of ascitic fluid in 6, bile effusion in 5 and bleeding in 2. Laparotomy was needed in 7 cases due to intraabdominal hemorrhage. The gallbladder was unintentionally punctured in 4 cases. Furthermore, a variety of minor complications of little clinical significance, such as extravasation of contrast medium, subintimal injection of contrast medium and minor intrahepatic hematomas, were observed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011677:Punctures / Q000009:adverse effects; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media