Hepatic Dystrophic Calcification Secondary to Transarterial Chemoembolization: Case Report and Review of Literature.

ABSTRACT

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy usually treated with surgery. Patients who are not suitable for surgery undergo transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) which involves injecting anti-cancer drugs and embolizing agents into the hepatic artery. Although it is a relatively safe procedure with minor side effects, TACE can rarely cause dystrophic calcification in the liver. We report a case of a 58-year-old female who presented with right-sided chest pain. The patient had been previously treated for HCC with a TACE procedure. A chest x-ray revealed hepatic calcification which was likely secondary to the prior TACE. This case study emphasizes the significance of considering TACE as a potential cause of hepatic dystrophic calcification.