Clostridium perfringens infection after transarterial chemoembolization for large hepatocellular carcinoma

We report an unusual case of Clostridium perfringens liver abscess formation after transcatheter arterialchemoembolization(TACE) for large hepatocellular carcinoma.Severe deterioration in liver and renal function accompanied with hemocytolysis was found on the 2nd day after TACE.Blood culture found Clostridium perfringens and abdominal computed tomography revealed a gas-containing abscess in the liver.Following antibiotics administration and support care, the infection was controlled and the liver and renal function turned normal.The 2nd TACE procedure was performed 1.5 mo later and no recurrent Clostridium perfringens infection was found.

Oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil hepatic infusion with lipiodolized chemoembolization in large hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To investigate transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) with hepatic infusion of oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil and Lipiodol chemoembolization in large hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS: In this retrospective study, 132 patients with unresectable HCCs larger than 10 cm were treated with hepatic infusion of oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil followed by Lipiodol chemoembolization. The primary endpoint was overall survival(OS). Sixteen-week disease-control rate, time to progression(TTP), and major complications were also studied. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors affecting OS and TTP.RESULTS: A total of 319 procedures were performed in the 132 patients. Eleven(8.3%) patients received radical resection following TACE treatment(median time to initial TACE 4.3 ± 2.3 mo). The median OS and TTP were 10.3 and 3.0 mo respectively, with a 50.0% 16-wk disease-control rate. Major complications were encountered in 6.0%(8/132) of patients following TACE and included serious jaundice in 1.5%(2/132) patients, aleukia in 1.5%(2/132), and hepatic failure in 3.0%(4/132). One patient died within one month due to serious hepatic failure and severe sepsis after receiving the second TACE. The risk factor associated with TTP was baseline alpha-fetoprotein level, and vascular invasion was an independent factor related to OS.CONCLUSION: Hepatic infusion of oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil followed by lipiodolized-chemoembolization is a safe and promising treatment for patients with HCCs larger than 10 cm in diameter.