Liver abscess complicating transcatheter arterial embolization: a rare but serious complication. A retrospective study after 3878 procedures.
OBJECTIVE
Liver abscess is one of the complications of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for hepatocellular carcinoma. We studied the clinical features and analysed the incidence, risk factors, helpful clinical clues, culture profiles and predictive factors of post-TAE liver abscess. The influence of abscess development on the evolution of the tumour process was also studied.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed records of 3878 TAE procedures performed over a 6 year period.


RESULTS
Ten cases of liver abscess developed in nine patients (eight males and one female). The incidence was 0.26% (10 episodes/3878 procedures). The main clinical presentations included fever (91.7%), chills (50%) and abdominal pain (33.3%). All but one febrile patient presented fever in a recurrent form. The positive culture rates were 41.7% for blood and 83.3% for pus. Gram negative bacteria were found in 80% of blood cultures and 68% of pus cultures. Polymicrobial infections were encountered in 60% of the blood cultures and 70% of pus cultures. Management included antibiotics, drainage and operation. Four patients died due to the direct complications of liver abscess. One patient experienced total tumour resolution after successful treatment for liver abscess. Patients with larger liver abscesses and patients with greater age carried higher mortality rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Liver abscess is a rare complication after TAE for hepatocellular carcinoma. Recurrent fevers after an initial symptom free interval should arouse suspicion of an abscess. The mortality is high and a large abscess and higher age predict an unfavourable outcome. Abscess formation can lead to complete tumour resolution.
Ong
Guan-Yeow
GY
Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Changchien
Chi-Sin
CS
Lee
Chuan-Mo
CM
Wang
Jing-Houng
JH
Tung
Hung-Da
HD
Chuah
Seng-Kee
SK
Chiu
King-Wah
KW
Chiou
Shue-Shian
SS
Cheng
Yu-Fan
YF
Lu
Sheng-Nan
SN
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies