Hepatoma Rupture following Drug-Eluting Bead Chemoembolization

Rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a devastating and potentially fatal complication of both the underlying disease and the tumor posttransarterial treatment. Early recognition of the complication and aggressive management is usually mandatory to effectively treat the hemorrhagic sequelae arising from the rupture. A low threshold for suspicion of rupture is mandatory in any patient presenting with significant abdominal pain, particularly if sudden in onset, and/or hemodynamic instability. The following article describes two cases of HCC rupture postchemoembolization (transarterial chemoembolization [TACE]) as well as a brief literature review of this disease process.

• References

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