title: [Fatal pulmonary embolism after embolization of a hepatocellular carcinoma using microspheres].
abstract: Intra-arterial treatment has become a first-line alternative in the therapeutic arsenal against primary and metastatic hepatic tumors. Despite its proven safety and efficacy, intra-arterial treatment with lipiodol, chemotherapy, and particles carries the risk of complications, some of which can be lethal. We present the case of a 32-year-old woman with multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma treated with microsphere embolization. After the second session, the patient died of a pulmonary embolism composed of particles and tumor cells.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiología. Unidad de Hepatología. Clínica Universitaria de Navarra. Pamplona. España.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Noguera
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martínez-Cuesta
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sangro
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Bilbao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D008863:Microspheres; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology*