Transcatheter embolization for peripheral pseudoaneurysms with n-butyl cyanoacrylate

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of transcatheter embolization for pseudoaneurysms of peripheral arteries with n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA). From November 2000 to February 2008, 17 patients with 18 pseudoaneurysms were treated by transcatheter embolization at our affiliated hospitals. The locations of the pseudoaneurysms were right hepatic artery (n=3), renal artery (n=5), splenic artery (n=2), gastroduodenal artery (n=2), common hepatic artery (n=1), pancreatic arcade (n=1), external iliac artery (n=1), internal iliac artery (n=1), internal thoracic artery (n=1), and left gastric artery (n=1). We assessed technical success rate, embolization methods, and clinical course in this study. The technical success rate was 94.4% (17/18 cases). Embolization methods were isolation (n=17) and packing (n=1). Only NBCA was used in 14 cases, both coils and NBCA were used in four cases. Six patients were in shock prior to the procedure, but all patients recovered immediately after embolization procedure including transfusion. None of the patients died of procedure-related factors or had notable postoperative complications, but three patients died within a week of the procedure because of deterioration of the underlying disease. In conclusion, transcatheter embolization of pseudoaneurysms with NBCA is a safe and effective technique for treatment.