Liver abscess after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: clinical manifestations, risk factors, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the recommended first-line treatment for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B hepatocellular carcinoma. However, TACE is associated with several major complications, such as liver abscess. Although liver abscess is an uncommon complication of TACE, it is associated with a high mortality rate. Early diagnosis and treatment of this complication are the keys to reducing the mortality rate and the length of hospital stay. However, no guidelines exist to guide the management of liver abscess after TACE. Herein, we review the clinical manifestations, risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of liver abscess after TACE.