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Acute Thrombocytopenia: An Unusual Complication Occurring After Drug-Eluting Microspheres Transcatheter Hepatic Chemoembolization

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Abstract

Image-guided transcatheter hepatic chemoembolization (TACE) is accepted worldwide as an effective treatment for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumors, colorectal carcinomas, and uveal melanomas. Although the technique is relatively safe, it has been associated with several complications. We report the cases of two patients with colorectal liver metastases who developed acute thrombocytopenia a few hours after TACE. To our knowledge, acute thrombocytopenia occurring after TACE with drug-eluting microspheres has not yet been reported. Here we discuss the hypothetical etiopathogenetic mechanisms.

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The author declares that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, IRCCS Fondazione S. Maugeri, Istituto Scientifico di Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    Guido Poggi, Benedetta Montagna, Federico Sottotetti, Barbara Tagliaferri, Emma Pozzi, Alessio Amatu, Chiara Pagella & Giovanni Bernardo

  2. Department of Interventional Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    Pietro Quaretti

Authors
  1. Guido Poggi
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  2. Pietro Quaretti
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  3. Benedetta Montagna
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  4. Federico Sottotetti
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  5. Barbara Tagliaferri
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  6. Emma Pozzi
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  7. Alessio Amatu
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  8. Chiara Pagella
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  9. Giovanni Bernardo
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Correspondence to Guido Poggi.

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Poggi, G., Quaretti, P., Montagna, B. et al. Acute Thrombocytopenia: An Unusual Complication Occurring After Drug-Eluting Microspheres Transcatheter Hepatic Chemoembolization. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 34 (Suppl 2), 190–194 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-010-9983-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-010-9983-y

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