Abstract

Although acute hepatic failure (AHF) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not a rare complication, the development of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is uncommon. We describe two cases who suffered SBP and AHF right after TACE for HCCs. In the first case, 5 days after TACE ascites and jaundice newly developed and SBP was diagnosed at 9 days after TACE. After use of secondary antibiotics (imipenam) due to failure of primary therapy with 3rd cephalosporin, he discharged with resolution of SBP. In the second case, jaundice, abdominal pain and fever developed with increased ascites 3 days after TACE. After 8 days, SBP was diagnosed and treated with imipenam due to primary treatment failure, but clinical course was deteriorated. Eighteen days after discharge, she died of AHF. In patients with increased ascites and fever after TACE, clinician should be considered SBP with AHF among post-TACE complications, and prompt management is needed.

• Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma;Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization;complication;Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis;Acute hepatic failure