Multiple intrahepatic aneurysms following transcatheter arterial embolization. Work in progress.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the mechanism of multiple intrahepatic aneurysm formation after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) performed in five patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.


METHODS
TAE was performed with gelatin sponge particles and iodized oil as embolic materials. Mitomycin C was also used in four cases.


RESULTS
Three to 14 aneurysms 1-6 mm in diameter were found in third-to sixth-order branches of the hepatic arteries at repeat angiography performed 25-45 days after TAE. Follow-up angiograms in three cases revealed that most aneurysms were no longer apparent except in one patient in whom two aneurysms remained and were larger than before. In none of the five cases were any signs of aneurysm rupture noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiologists should be aware of this complication of TAE. It is speculated that the main cause of aneurysm formation in these patients was the embolic agents used.
Department of Radiology, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan.
N
N
Aso
N
N
Matsunaga
T
T
Fukuda
I
I
Sakamoto
K
K
Ashizawa
H
H
Aikawa
I
I
Isomoto
K
K
Hayashi
T
T
Fukushima
M
M
Morikawa
D000783:Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005781:Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable / Q000009:adverse effects; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000009:adverse effects; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors
D016685:Mitomycin; D007459:Iodized Oil