First Report of a Late Lethal Pulmonary Biliary Embolism following Hepatic Microwave Ablation

Abstract

Microwave ablation (MWA) is an established tool in modern therapy of hepatic malignomas. Although it is generally a safe procedure, severe complications related to MWA have been reported in the literature. We report on the first case of a fatal pulmonary biliary embolism following hepatic MWA. The development of pulmonary biliary embolisms is possible and should be considered particularly in the case of by extensive ablation near liver veins.