Damage to intra- and extrahepatic bile duct after hepatic artery embolization

Objective: To study the pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of bile duct damage arising from hepatic artery embolization.

Methods: Five patients with intra- and extrahepatic biliary damage resulting from hepatic artery embolization. Of these patients, 4 were due to hepatic artery embolization for hepatic haemangioma, and 1 was due to injecting TH (methacrylate) compound into the hepatic artery during operation. The hepatic artery was injected with ethanol so as to evaluate liver damage in experimental rats.

Results: All patients were found to have damage to intra- and extrahepatic bile duct at the hilum with biliary hepatocirrhosis; 4 of them received intrahepatic bile duct jejunal anastomosis and bile duct stent. Experiment result revealed obliteration of the bile duct and necrosis of the liver around the portal tract area.

Conclusions: Arterial embolization of hepatic haemangioma may cause severe biliary damage.