[Intrahepatic bilomas after hepatic arterial embolization of malignant hepatic neoplasms]

Reviewed and discussed are six cases of intrahepatic biloma that developed after hepatic arterial embolization therapy for malignant hepatic tumors. All six cases were administered emulsion of adriamycin and lipiodol and/or sponge gel particles, as the etiology of their disease was considered to be bile duct necrosis due to obstructions of peripheral supplying arterial branches. From the 23rd to the 76 days after embolization therapy, each lesion was detected by CT scan, and every case showed an elevation of serum alkaline phoshatase. Further, in 4 cases, hepatobiliary scintigraphy revealed a delayed bile clearance in the hepatic lobe. In one case followed up for 2 months, only one of two lesions disappeared. And in 5 cases that were followed up for more than 4 months, recovery occurred in 4 cases without any further treatment, but another case required percutaneous drainage for 3.5 months to be cured. An intrahepatic biloma, or bile duct necrosis, is a complication that can arise from hepatic arterial embolization therapy, so that careful follow-up must be given.