Post-Embolization and Post-Ablation Syndromes

Postembolization syndrome is a transient phenomenon that usually occurs within 24 hours of tumor embolization, peaks on days 3 and 5, and resolves within 7 days. Patients have low-grade fever and flulike symptoms, such as malaise, myalgia, and nausea and/or vomiting, felt to be due to cytokine production in response to necrotic tumor tissue. A similar phenomenon has been seen following radiofrequency (RF) ablation.

These symptoms must be differentiated from those of infection (e.g., pneumonia, abscess) or intestinal perforation. Suspicion is raised in patients with delayed onset of fever or persistent symptoms.

References

Wah TM, Arellano RS, Gervais DA, Saltalamacchia CA, Martino J, Halpern EF, Maher M, Mueller PR. Image-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and incidence of post-radiofrequency ablation syndrome: prospective survey. Radiology. 2005 Dec;237(3):1097-102.