Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenic purpura induced by percutaneous ethanol injection during treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report

Abstract

Percutaneous ethanol injection is an important localized treatment method for patients presenting with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Among the advantages of percutaneous ethanol injection are its minimal invasiveness, simplicity, low cost and low risk of complications. However, the increasing popularity of percutaneous ethanol injection has resulted in serious adverse effects attributed to individual variations. The present study describes the case of a patient who exhibited acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenic purpura, caused by percutaneous ethanol injection treatment for HCC. This complication was promptly identified, and platelet transfusion and injection of recombinant human interleukin-11 resulted in a rapid recovery of the patient's platelet count. Attention should be given to this rare complication in patients administered percutaneous ethanol injection treatment for HCC.

Keywords: acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenic purpura; complication; hepatocellular carcinoma; percutaneous ethanol injection.

Figure 1.

Enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealing one tumor nodule in the anterior portion of the right lobe of the liver, measuring ~2.9×2.1 cm.

Figure 2.

Bone marrow analysis revealing active proliferation of granulocytes and erythrocytes with normal morphology. Megakaryocytes, however, showed a marked decrease in number and no mature megakaryocytes were observed.