[Interventional radiology as emergency treatment for pelvic injuries]

Pelvic arterial bleeding constitutes a potentially life-threatening event, which can be difficult to control with surgical procedures alone, especially in the case of ligamentous ruptures and a subsequently increased pelvic volume.

Using angiography and embolization (AE) with resorbable gelatine-based particles or permanent coils, plugs, liquid embolic systems or by vascular stenting, in most cases traumatic pelvic arterial bleeding can be stopped and can also be used to close pseudoaneurysms, arteriovenous fistulas or dissections.

The AE has become established as a fast and effective minimally invasive procedure in the treatment of traumatic pelvic vascular injuries with an advantageous risk-benefit ratio.

An interdisciplinary approach should be used in the indications for AE; which can be used as definitive treatment as well as in combination with surgical procedures. To improve the clinical outcome any delay between establishing the indications and the start of the intervention must be avoided.