[Damage to intra- and extrahepatic bile duct after hepatic artery embolization].

OBJECTIVE

To study the pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of bile duct damage arising from hepatic artery embolization.

METHODS

Five patients with intra- and extrahepatic biliary damage resulting from hepatic artery embolization. Of these patients, 4 were due to hepatic artery embolization for hepatic haemangioma, and 1 was due to injecting TH (methacrylate) compound into the hepatic artery during operation. The hepatic artery was injected with ethanol so as to evaluate liver damage in experimental rats.

RESULTS

All patients were found to have damage to intra- and extrahepatic bile duct at the hilum with biliary hepatocirrhosis; 4 of them received intrahepatic bile duct jejunal anastomosis and bile duct stent. Experiment result revealed obliteration of the bile duct and necrosis of the liver around the portal tract area.

CONCLUSIONS

Arterial embolization of hepatic haemangioma may cause severe biliary damage.