Abstract

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a widely accepted nonsurgical modality used for the treatment of multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The careful selection of the candidate is important due to the risk of developing various side effects. Fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and liver enzyme elevation are commonly known side effects of TACE. Hepatic failure, ischemic cholecystitis, and cerebral embolism are also reported, although their incidence might be low. Pulmonary complication after TACE is rare, and the reported cases of lipiodol pneumonitis are even rarer. A 53-year-old man was treated with TACE for ruptured HCC associated with hepatitis B virus infection. On day 19 after the procedure, the patient complained of dyspnea and dry cough. Chest computed tomography showed diffuse ground glass opacities in the wholelung fields, suggesting lipiodol-induced pneumonitis. After 2 weeks of conservative management, the clinical symptoms and radiologic abnormalities improved. Reported herein is the aforementioned case of lipiodol-induced pnemonitis after TACE, with literature review.

• Keywords: Lipiodol;Pneumonia;Therapeutic chemoembolization;Hepatocellular carcinoma;