Complications of Percutaneous Transhepatic Catheterization of the Portal Vein and its Tributaries

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Abstract
The complications of percutaneous transhepatic catheterization of the portal vein and its tributaries were assessed in 406 patients in whom 440 examinations were performed and 8 unsuccessful attempts. Clinically relevant complications consisting of abdominal or external hemorrhage occurred in 24 cases with fatal outcome in 3. Complications involving the right pleural space occurred in 13 patients: collection of ascitic fluid in 6, bile effusion in 5 and bleeding in 2. Laparotomy was needed in 7 cases due to intraabdominal hemorrhage. The gallbladder was unintentionally punctured in 4 cases. A variety of minor complications of little clinical significance, such as extravasation of contrast medium, subintimal injection of contrast medium and minor intrahepatic hematomas, were observed.