Pancreatitis after Ethanol Injection for Liver Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Zardi Enrico M, Di Matteo Francesco, Santini Daniele, Uwechie Valentina, Crucitti Pierfilippo, Carassiti Massimiliano, Picardi Antonio, Perrella Eleonora, Caricato Marco, Tonini Giuseppe, Coppola Roberto, Afeltra Antonella
Primary Institution: Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
Hypothesis
Can percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lead to pancreatitis?
Conclusion
Acute pancreatitis may develop in cirrhotic patients with HCC treated with opioids after PEI.
Supporting Evidence
- Pancreatitis has been reported as a rare lethal complication of intra-arterial PEI.
- Opioids may induce pancreatitis by constricting the sphincter of Oddi.
- Acute pancreatitis has not been reported after conventional PEI.
Takeaway
Doctors need to be careful when giving pain medicine after a liver cancer treatment because it can sometimes cause a serious problem called pancreatitis.
Methodology
The review analyzes literature on the development of acute pancreatitis after PEI and discusses the mechanisms involved.
Limitations
The study is based on literature review and lacks original experimental data.
Participant Demographics
Cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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