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Lingual artery embolization for severe and uncontrollable postoperative tonsillar bleeding.
E I Levy1, M B Horowitz, A M Cahill
1Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop St., Suite B-400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2582, USA.
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal
|May 8, 2001
Summary
Emergent angiography identified a left lingual artery bleed after tonsillectomy. Coil embolization rapidly and effectively stopped the oropharyngeal hemorrhage, offering a key treatment for severe post-tonsillectomy bleeding.
Area of Science:
- Vascular surgery
- Interventional radiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Post-adenotonsillectomy oropharyngeal bleeding can be severe and difficult to control.
- Traditional management may involve surgical exploration or packing, with associated risks.
Observation:
- A patient presented with uncontrollable bleeding 3 days post-adenotonsillectomy.
- Emergent external carotid artery angiography was performed for diagnosis.
Findings:
- Angiography revealed a disruption and active hemorrhage from the left lingual artery.
- Successful coil embolization of the affected left lingual artery was performed.
Implications:
- Coil embolization provides a rapid and effective endovascular solution for massive post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage.
- This minimally invasive technique can be crucial in managing life-threatening bleeding in this context.