Cerebral lipiodol embolism during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

Cerebral lipiodol embolism (CLE) is a rare complication that may occur during chemoembolization. The authors present three cases of CLE during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. Multiple small nonconfluent hyperintense intracerebral lesions were found on the diffusion-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI. Clinical signs completely resolved and MRI lesions markedly improved on follow-up evaluation within a 3-week period.