Bilio-enteric anastomosis as a risk factor for postembolic hepatic abscesses

In 2 patients who had undergone pancreatoduodenectomy with choledochojejunostomy, a subsequently detected metastatic tumor of the liver was treated with transcatheter arterial embolization. Weeks later intrahepatic abscesses developed. Pathophysiologic processes that may lead to this complication of hepatic embolization are discussed.