Post paracentesis deep circumflex iliac artery injury identified at angiography, an underreported complication

Successful Transcatheter Arterial Embolization of Abdominal Wall Hematoma from the Left Deep Circumflex Iliac Artery after Abdominal Paracentesis in a Patient with Liver Cirrhosis: Case Report and Literature Review

The occurrence of an abdominal wall hematoma caused by abdominal paracentesis in patients with liver cirrhosis is rare. This paper presents a case of an abdominal wall hematoma caused by abdominal paracentesis in a 67-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis with a review of the relevant literature. Two days prior, the patient underwent abdominal paracentesis for symptom relief for refractory ascites at a local clinic. Upon admission, a physical examination revealed purpuric patches with swelling and mild tenderness in the left lower quadrant of the abdominal wall. Abdominal computed tomography revealed advanced liver cirrhosis with splenomegaly, tortuous dilatation of the para-umbilical vein, a large volume of ascites, and a large acute hematoma at the left lower quadrant of the abdominal wall. An external iliac artery angiogram showed the extravasation of contrast media from the left deep circumflex iliac artery. Embolization of the target arterial branches using N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate was then performed, and the bleeding was stopped. The final diagnosis was an abdominal wall hematoma from the left deep circumflex iliac artery after abdominal paracentesis in a patient with liver cirrhosis.

Haemorrhagic Shock After Iatrogenic Deep Circumflex Iliac Artery Injury During Paracentesis: A Rare Lethal Complication

Abdominal paracentesis is a commonly performed bedside procedure. It serves as a therapeutic and diagnostic tool for a variety of conditions. It is regarded as a safe procedure with a low risk of complications. Rarely, iatrogenic complications such as peritonitis, haemorrhage, and bowel perforation may occur. Intraperitoneal haemorrhage is rare and usually occurs due to bleeding from the intraabdominal venous collateral vessels or mesenteric varices. However, intraperitoneal haemorrhage secondary to injury to the abdominal wall arteries, such as the inferior epigastric artery or deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA), is very uncommon.  We report on a 64-year-old man with decompensated cardiac failure who underwent paracentesis due to gross ascites. Twenty-four hours post-procedure, he became progressively hypotensive and lethargic. An ecchymosis measuring 3 cm × 2 cm was seen over the puncture site. An urgent CT angiography of the abdomen showed a large left-sided intraperitoneal haematoma with active contrast extravasation from the left DCIA. We performed a successful angioembolisation of the left DCIA. It is important to note that intraperitoneal haemorrhages secondary to DCIA injury may present as occult intraperitoneal haemorrhage. Angioembolisation is a useful tool in the management of uncontrolled intraperitoneal haemorrhage. The recommended puncture site is in the left lower quadrant, 2-4 cm superior and medial to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). This case report serves to emphasise the rare but potentially lethal complication of a commonly performed procedure. A high index of suspicion of intraperitoneal haemorrhage is required for patients with unexplained hypotension post-paracentesis, even if overt abdominal signs are absent. The use of ultrasound guidance will aid in reducing the risk of severe complications and increasing the overall success rate.

Role of Interventional Radiology (IR) in vascular emergencies among cirrhotic patients

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage remains one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among patients with liver cirrhosis. Mostly, these patients bleed from the gastroesophageal varices. However, nonvariceal bleeding is also more likely to occur in these patients. Because of frequent co-existing coagulopathy, cirrhotics are more prone to bleed from a minor vascular injury while performing percutaneous interventions. Ultrasound-guided bedside vascular access is an essential procedure in liver critical care units. Transjugular portosystemic shunts (TIPS) with/without variceal embolization is a life-saving measure in patients with refractory variceal bleeding. Whenever feasible, balloon-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) is an alternative to TIPS in managing gastric variceal bleeding, but without a risk of hepatic encephalopathy. In cases of failed or unfeasible endotherapy, transarterial embolization using various embolic agents remains the cornerstone therapy in patients with nonvariceal bleeding such as ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma, gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding, and procedure-related hemorrhagic complications. Among various embolic agents, N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) enables better vascular occlusion in cirrhotics, even in coagulopathy, making it a more suitable embolic agent in an expert hand. This article briefly entails the different interventional radiological procedures in vascular emergencies among patients with liver cirrhosis.

Massive Hemoperitoneum after Paracentesis in a Patient with Budd-Chiari Syndrome: Treated with a TIPS after Negative Arteriogram

Paracenteses are considered safe procedures; however, in patients with portal hypertension, the rapid shifts in intraabdominal pressure can prompt hemorrhage from an ectopic varix. Little literature exists on the appropriate management in this clinical setting. Here, we describe a patient with portal hypertension secondary to Budd-Chiari syndrome, presenting with massive hemoperitoneum following paracentesis. Angiography was performed, without revealing an arterial source of bleeding. Subsequently, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement was performed via a recanalized middle hepatic vein, reducing the patient's portosystemic gradient from 15 to 6 mm Hg. This patient developed no further signs or symptoms of bleeding and remained hemodynamically stable until discharge. Follow-up imaging confirmed patency of her shunt and resolution of her ascites, without the need for future paracentesis. This case highlights that in the absence of arterial extravasation, the possibility of ectopic variceal hemorrhage should be considered, which can be successfully treated with portosystemic shunt creation.

Lights and Shadows of Paracentesis: Is an Ultrasound Guided Approach Enough to Prevent Bleeding Complications?

Paracentesis is a validated procedure for diagnosing and managing ascites. Although paracentesis is a safe procedure with a 1–2% risk of complications such as bleeding, it is necessary to inform the patient about the possible adverse events. We would like to share our experience with two cases of bleeding after paracentesis. In our unit, two major hemorrhagic complications occurred in 162 procedures performed over the year 2020 (frequency of bleeding complications: 1.2%). We report two clinical cases of post-paracentesis abdominal wall hematomas. Despite a similar clinical presentation, the management approach was different: in the first case, embolization of the epigastric artery supplying the hematoma was performed. In the second case, conservative treatment was adopted. Our report aims to provide food for thought about a potentially challenging hemorrhagic complication, even with the risk of adverse outcomes.