Case Report
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World J Radiol. Feb 28, 2013; 5(2): 45-48
Published online Feb 28, 2013. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v5.i2.45
Transcatheter arterial embolization for chest wall metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Eiki Nagao, Masakazu Hirakawa, Hiroyasu Soeda, Satoru Tsuruta, Hironori Sakai, Hiroshi Honda
Eiki Nagao, Departments of Clinical Radiology, Fukuoka city Hospital, Yoshizukahonmachi, Fukuoka 812-0046, Japan
Masakazu Hirakawa, Departments of Clinical Radiology, Kyushu University Beppu Hospital, Beppu, Oita 874-0838, Japan
Hiroyasu Soeda, Departments of Clinical Radiology, Beppu Medical Centor, Beppu, Oita 874-0011, Japan
Satoru Tsuruta, Hironori Sakai, Departments of Gastrointestinal medicine, Beppu Medical Centor, Beppu, Oita 874-0011, Japan
Hiroshi Honda, Departments of Clinical Radiology, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
Author contributions: Nagao E, Hirakawa M, Soeda H, Tsuruta S, Sakai H and Honda H contributed to the manuscript writing and revision.
Correspondence to: Masakazu Hirakawa, MD, PhD, Departments of Clinical Radiology, Kyushu University Beppu Hospital, 4546 Oazaturumiazaturumibara, Beppu, Oita 874-0838, Japan. mahira@radiol.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-977-671111 Fax: +81-977-675766
Received: October 21, 2012
Revised: December 1, 2012
Accepted: December 15, 2012
Published online: February 28, 2013
Processing time: 145 Days and 9.7 Hours
Abstract

Hemothorax due to rupture of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a very rare complication with high mortality because of uncontrollable hemorrhage. A 71-year-old man treated by transcatheter arterial embolization for HCC with massive bleeding from chest wall metastasis is reported. Enhanced computed tomography and selective intercostal angiogram showed a hypervascular mass in the right chest wall and extravasation of contrast agent. After successful transcatheter arterial embolization with gelatin sponge particles and metallic coils, the patient recovered from shock without major complication. To our knowledge, a successfully treated case of hemothorax due to rupture of metastatic HCC has not previously been described.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Chest wall metastasis; Rupture; Transcatheter arterial embolization; Hemothorax