A Case of Chronic Expanding Hematoma in the Thoracic Cavity Treated with Transcatheter Arterial Embolization

Chronic expanding hematoma (CEH) is a rare late complication of thoracic trauma or surgery, and favorable outcomes with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) have rarely been reported. An 80-year-old male presented with recurrent hemoptysis and was diagnosed with intrathoracic CEH. Owing to advanced age and high surgical risk, TAE was performed via bronchial, intercostal, and inferior phrenic arteries using tris-acryl microspheres (700-900 μm) and gelatin sponge. Hemoptysis resolved, and follow-up imaging showed hematoma shrinkage without recurrence for 2 years. This case demonstrates TAE with 700-900 μm microspheres as a safe, minimally invasive alternative to surgery for CEH.