Gas formation following hepatic tumour embolisation

Abstract

Normal liver tissue receives its blood supply from both the arterial and portal systems, whereas primary and secondary hepatic neoplasms derive most of their blood supply from the hepatic artery (Aune & Schistad, 1972; Breedis & Young, 1954; Wheeler et al, 1979). Dearterialisation of the liver by surgical ligation of the hepatic artery or by injection of embolic material into the artery has been used to induce necrosis in such tumours for temporary relief of symptoms and reduction of tumour bulk (Bernardino et al, 1981; Goldstein et al. 1975 a, b, 1976; Grace et al, 1976; Marks & Filly, 1979). Only few major complications following hepatic artery embolisation have been reported, the most serious ones being displaced emboli (Grace et al, 1976; Wheeler et al, 1979), abscess formation (Pueyo et al, 1979; Trojanowski et al, 1980) and widespread liver necrosis (Goldstein et al, 1975a; Trojanowski et al, 1980).