Percutaneous microwave ablation for control of massive portal venous bleeding

Abstract

We present a case of a 46 years old female with decompensated liver cirrhosis who developed severe intraperitoneal hemorrhage secondary to inadvertent liver puncture during a paracentesis which resulted in a combined hepatic arterial and portal venous injury. The arterial injury was managed with transarterial embolization. The portal venous injury was managed with percutaneous microwave ablation. This article also highlights the importance of evaluating both arterial injury as well as portal venous injury in the setting of hepatic bleeding, particularly in patients with portal hypertension.

Keywords

• Portal hypertension
• Portal venous bleeding
• Transarterial embolization
• Percutaneous microwave ablation