[Embolization of traumatic hemorrhages]

This retrospective study of 17 patients evaluates the effectiveness of angiographic embolization as a treatment for traumatic hemorrhage. Bleeding was caused by external trauma in 8 patients and by iatrogenic trauma in 9 patients. Embolization was only performed if contrast-extravasation or a pseudoaneurysm could be visualized. In 16 of 17 patients immediate technical and clinical success was achieved. Over a 30-day follow-up period 3 patients died of multi-organ failure, toxic hepatitis and neurotrauma. In conclusion, embolization is a highly efficient and safe technique.