Risk Reduction of Intrahepatic Abscess After Locoregional Therapy for Liver Cancer in Patients with Prior...

Intrahepatic abscess is an exceedingly rare complication of locoregional therapy for patients with liver cancer. However, in patients who underwent prior hepatobiliary intervention, the incidence of liver abscess increases significantly, causing morbidity and even mortality in such patients. Here, we will review the relative risk of developing a liver abscess after intraarterial and ablative locoregional therapies in patients with liver cancer depending on whether they underwent any kind of prior hepatobiliary procedures that resulted in violation of the Ampulla of Vater. As a result, patients deemed at high risk of developing a liver abscess were treated prophylactically, with the combination of bowel preparation and antibiotics nearly eliminating the occurrence of a liver abscess after locoregional therapy. Therefore, given the significant risk of developing a liver abscess in patients with prior hepatobiliary procedures, management consisting of prophylactic bowel preparation with antibiotic coverage followed by antibiotics post-locoregional therapy is recommended.