Transcatheter gelfoam embolization of posttraumatic bleeding pseudoaneurysms

Area of Science:

• Interventional Radiology
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Posttraumatic hemorrhage presents complex clinical challenges, often involving pseudoaneurysms.
• Traditional surgical management can be invasive with significant associated morbidity.

Observation:

• This study presents five cases of posttraumatic pseudoaneurysms treated with diagnostic angiography and transcatheter embolization using Gelfoam.
• Cases included pseudoaneurysms in the extremities, retroperitoneal space, and renal origin.

Findings:

• Transcatheter therapeutic embolization was successful in all five patients, leading to decreased morbidity and hospital stay.
• Two patients required subsequent surgical intervention due to recurrent bleeding from collaterals and for evacuation of a large pseudoaneurysm impacting fracture fragments.

Implications:

• Early angiography and careful collateral assessment are crucial for managing suspected posttraumatic hemorrhage.
• Transcatheter embolization demonstrates expanding applicability, particularly for pseudoaneurysms in the extremities.