Pleural seeding from hepatocellular carcinoma: a complication of percutaneous alcohol ablation

Radiology. 1994 Oct;193(1):81-2. doi: 10.1148/radiology.193.1.8090925.

Abstract

The authors present a case of proved seeding of the pleural space secondary to alcohol ablation of a primary hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient underwent alcohol ablation for a 6.5-cm-diameter tumor in the right lobe of the liver; approximately 20 needle punctures were required to ensure complete or almost complete destruction of the tumor. Six months after the original ablation, a hypervascular pleural metastasis was noted adjacent to the original lesion at computed tomography. Percutaneous biopsy of the pleural lesion showed hepatocellular carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / secondary*
  • Ethanol / administration & dosage
  • Ethanol / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intralesional
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Needles
  • Neoplasm Seeding*
  • Pleural Neoplasms / secondary*

Substances

  • Ethanol