Transcatheter arterial embolization for traumatic hepatic hemorrhage

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy, indications and complications of transcatheter arterial embolization for the treatment of traumatic hemorrhage of liver. Methods: Retrospectively analyzed 33 cases of traumatic hemorrhage of liver admitted to West China Hospital from May 1996 to May 2006. Twenty-four cases underwent hepatic arterial angiography and were diagnosed as hepatic arterial pseudoaneurysms and followed by superselective embolization of the feeding vessel with gelatin sponge and/or spring coils. Results: Embolization was succeeded technically in 28 pseudoaneurysms of 24 cases. rebleeding occurred in 2 cases and a second embolization was performed with one recovered uneventfully. The other died of rebleeding and severe abdominal infection one week after the second embolization. Fever unrelated to embolization occurred in 9 cases. Conclusion: Transcatheter arterial embolization is safe, prompt and effective for the treatment of hemorrhage due to hepatic injury. (authors)