Massive Tumor Pulmonary Embolism Following Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary embolism complicated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is known to be due to the use of large amount of lipiodol as an embolic agent. To our knowledge, massive tumoral pulmonary embolism following TACE and confirmed by surgery has not been described in the literature. In this report, we detail the case of a 49-year-old man in whom cyanosis and hypotension developed abruptly on the day of TACE. Chest CT revealed diffuse low-attenuated lesions in both pulmonary arteries. Histopathological specimens after emergent pulmonary arterial embolectomy confirmed the presence of massive tumor emboli of hepatocellular carcinoma.