Clinical research of the cause of pulmonary infection in patient with primary hepatic carcinoma after the treatment of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

Objective To analyze the cause and clinical features of pulmonary infection in patient with primary hepatic carcinoma after the treatment of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE).Methods 1136 patients with HCC were treated with TACE and then the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.Results Pneumonia occurred in 25 patients(2.20%) after TACE.19 patients had right hepatic carcinoma,and 10 of them had gigantic hepatic carcinoma.Cough and expectoration were present in 22 patients(88%),fever in 21 patients(84%),leucocyte count elevated in 7 patients(28%),CRP elevated in 17 patients(68%),CD4+T cell count decreased in 19 patients(76%),the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ decreased in 15 patients(60%),and the albumin level decreased in 15 patients(60%).The main imaging presentation was atelectasis of right lung with pleural effusion.3 patients reported dead.Conclusion Pulmonary inflammation usually occurs in patients with right or gigantic hepatic carcinoma after TACE,and its clinical manifestation is atypical.