Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has become an effective alternative treatment strategy for patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although TACE is relatively safe, acute respiratory distress syndrome associated with pulmonary lipiodol embolism is a rare and potentially fatal complication. We report a rare case of acute respiratory distress syndrome after TACE for inoperable HCC. A 75-year-old man, with huge HCC in right lobe, was treated by TACE for the first time. Seven hours after uneventful TACE procedure, he felt dyspneic and his oxygen saturation recorded by pulse oximetry (SpO₂) fell to 80% despite of applying non-rebreathing mask. He underwent mechanical ventilation with a protective ventilatory strategy. We experienced a case of acute respiratory distress syndrome after TACE for HCC.

A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with symptom of fever, chilling, abdominal discomfort and weight loss for 2months. Abdominal computed tomography(CT) revealed a 5×3.75 cm sized low attenuated lesion in the left lateral segment of liver. Esophagogastrodedodenoscopy showed a fistula with dirty exudates at the fundus and a yellowish stone and food debris at the choledochoduodenostomy site. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed and stone and food materials in common bile duct was removed with snare and basket. We experienced a case of liver abscess due to sump syndrome and spontaneous drainage to the stomach.