[Diagnosis of the pelvic fracture which requires TAE on plain pelvic radiograph]

We reviewed the initial emergency-room plain pelvic radiographs of 75 patients with pelvic fracture. In thirty-six patients transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was performed for retroperitoneal hemorrhage associated with pelvic fracture (TAE group) and in 39 patients (non-shock group) TAE was not required. In TAE group, fractures involving iliosacral region and pubic symphysis were more dominant than in non-shock group. Specific soft tissue abnormal shadow of TAE group was not present. It may be impossible to determine the necessity of TAE in pelvic fracture on the basis of plain pelvic radiograph.