Basic Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2002. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 15, 2002; 8(1): 119-123
Published online Feb 15, 2002. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v8.i1.119
Severe biliary complications after hepatic artery embolization
Xiao-Qiang Huang, Zhi-Qiang Huang, Wei-Dong Duan, Nin-Xing Zhou, Yu-Quan Feng
Xiao-Qiang Huang, Zhi-Qiang Huang, Nin-Xing Zhou, Yu-Quan Feng, Wei-Dong, Duan, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Xiao-Qaing Huang, The General Hospital of PLA, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing 100853, China. huangxq@ht.rol.cn.net
Telephone: +86-10-66937343
Received: July 12, 2001
Revised: September 29, 2001
Accepted: October 12, 2001
Published online: February 15, 2002
Abstract

AIM: To study the mechanism and treatment of severe biliary complications arising from hepatic artery embolization (HAE).

METHODS: Of seven cases of intra- and extrahepatic biliary damage resulting from hepatic artery embolization reported since 1987 , 6 patients suffered from hepatic haemangioma, the other case was due to injection of TH compound into the hepatic artery during operation. The hepatic artery was injected with ethanol so as to evaluate the liver damage in experimental rats.

RESULTS: All the cases were found to have destructive damage of intra- and extrahepatic bile duct at the hilum with biliary hepatocirrhosis. Experimental results revealed necrosis of the liver parenchyma, especially around the portal tract and obliteration of intrahepatic bile duct.

CONCLUSIONS: To prevent the severe biliary complications of HAE, the use of HAE for hepatic haemangioma which was widely practiced in China, should be re-evaluated. Hepatic arterial embolization of hepatic haemangioma may resulte in severe destructive biliary damages and its indiscriminate use should be prohibited.

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