Biliary migration of hepatocellular carcinoma fragment after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy.
Occasional side-effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma are essentially related to tissue necrosis. We report the case of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma who experienced an acute common bile duct obstruction a few weeks after such a procedure, in the absence of obvious biliary tract invasion. An endoscopic sphincterotomy relieved the obstruction. At histology, the intra-biliary material was identified as a fragment of hepatocellular carcinoma. We discuss the causes of obstructive jaundice in the setting of hepatocellular carcinoma as well as in the specific situation of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy.
Spahr
L
L
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland. laurent.spahr@hcuge.ch
Frossard
J L
JL
Felley
C
C
Brundler
M A
MA
Majno
P E
PE
Hadengue
A
A
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male