Extrahepatic ischemic complications following transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

Transarterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma consists of the selective release of chemotherapeutic agents in the tumor feeding arteries (and their subsequent occlusion) and presents a low risk of extrahepatic complications. However, the presence of anatomical variants of the celiac trunk is common and facilitates these complications by connecting the hepatic arterial vascularization with that of the surrounding organs. We present three clinical cases of extrahepatic ischemia in three different organs (esophagus, stomach and gallbladder) following transarterial chemoembolization in patients who presented one of these anatomical variants.