Chemical ablation is a technique in which chemical ablative substances are used to cause cell death in neoplastic tissue. It is used as a standalone procedure or in combination with other techniques like TACE and radiofrequency ablation.
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Agents
absolute ethanol (most commonly used)
acetic acid
Mechanism of action
There are broadly two mechanisms of action:
cytotoxic: chemical substances cause cell death by means of cell membrane damage, protein denaturation and cellular dehydration.
vascular: agents also cause vascular endothelial damage and thrombosis. 2
Application
Complications
hematoma : parenchymal and subcapsular hematoma formation
hemoperitoneum
hemobilia
intestinal perforation
cholangitis
hepatic vein thrombosis
portal vein thrombosis
pneumothorax and pleural effusion
hepatic infarct
tumor seeding along the needle track