CT arteriography-guided embolization in hepatic bleeding: a case report

A 33-year-old man with hepatic bleeding was transferred to our hospital. Conventional plain and enhanced spiral computed tomography (CT) with a Siemens Somatom Plus-S scanner (Siemens AG, Erlangen, Germany) revealed a large hepatic hematoma and active extrahepatic bleeding. A unified spiral CT and angiography system (IVR-CT/Angio system; Toshiba Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan) was employed, and selective catheterization-aided CT arteriography (CTA) showed additional active extrahepatic bleeding. These findings were not detected on conventional spiral CT or angiography. The CTA findings led us to successful transarterial embolization (TAE). After TAE, CT scan revealed that the contrast material injected in the hepatic artery was diffusing into the periportal space. Twenty-four days after TAE, a central bisegmentectomy of the liver was performed. Unfortunately, the cause of the hepatic bleeding was not clear pathologically.     

Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: the Usefulness of Rotational Angiography after Endoscopic Marking with a Metallic Clip

Objective

We wanted to assess the usefulness of rotational angiography after endoscopic marking with a metallic clip in upper gastrointestinal bleeding patients with no extravasation of contrast medium on conventional angiography.

Materials and Methods

In 16 patients (mean age, 59.4 years) with acute bleeding ulcers (13 gastric ulcers, 2 duodenal ulcers, 1 malignant ulcer), a metallic clip was placed via gastroscopy and this had been preceded by routine endoscopic treatment. The metallic clip was placed in the fibrous edge of the ulcer adjacent to the bleeding point. All patients had negative results from their angiographic studies. To localize the bleeding focus, rotational angiography and high pressure angiography as close as possible to the clip were used.

Results

Of the 16 patients, seven (44%) had positive results after high pressure angiography as close as possible to the clip and they underwent transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with microcoils. Nine patients without extravasation of contrast medium underwent TAE with microcoils as close as possible to the clip. The bleeding was stopped initially in all patients after treatment of the feeding artery. Two patients experienced a repeat episode of bleeding two days later. Of the two patients, one had subtle oozing from the ulcer margin and that patient underwent endoscopic treatment. One patient with malignant ulcer died due to disseminated intravascular coagulation one month after embolization. Complete clinical success was achieved in 14 of 16 (88%) patients. Delayed bleeding or major/minor complications were not noted.

Conclusion

Rotational angiography after marking with a metallic clip helps to localize accurately the bleeding focus and thus to embolize the vessel correctly.     

Acute massive gastrointestinal bleeding: detection and localization with arterial phase multi-detector row helical CT

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate accuracy of arterial phase multi-detector row helical computed tomography (CT) for detection and localization of acute massive gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, with angiography as reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approved this study; written informed consent was obtained from each patient or patient's family after procedures, including radiation dose, were explained. Twenty-six consecutive patients (17 men, nine women; age range, 18-89 years) had acute massive GI bleeding (defined as requirement of transfusion of at least 4 units of blood during 24 hours in the hospital or as hypotension with systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg) and underwent arterial phase multi-detector row CT before angiography. Scans were obtained during arterial phase to identify extravasation of contrast material with attenuation greater than 90 HU within bowel lumen; this finding was considered diagnostic for active GI bleeding. Presence of contrast medium extravasation in each anatomic location was recorded. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of multi-detector row CT for detection of acute GI bleeding were assessed. Accuracy for localization of acute GI bleeding was assessed by comparing locations of active bleeding at both multi-detector row CT and angiography in each patient who had active bleeding. RESULTS: Arterial phase multi-detector row CT depicted extravasation of contrast material in 21 of 26 patients. Overall location-based sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of multi-detector row CT for detection of GI bleeding were 90.9% (20 of 22), 99% (107 of 108), 97.6% (127 of 130), 95% (20 of 21), and 98% (107 of 109), respectively. Overall patient-based accuracy of multi-detector row CT for detection of acute GI bleeding was 88.5% (23 of 26). The location of contrast material extravasation on multi-detector row CT scans corresponded exactly to that of active bleeding on angiograms in all patients with contrast medium extravasation at both multi-detector row CT and angiography. CONCLUSION: Arterial phase multi-detector row CT is accurate for detection and localization of bleeding sites in patients with acute massive GI bleeding.     

Usefulness of transcatheter arterial embolization for intercostal arterial bleeding in a patient with burst fractures of the thoracic vertebrae

A 25-year-old man was injured in a motorcycle accident and hemodynamically unstable on admission. Right hemothorax and fractures of the ninth, tenth, and 11th thoracic vertebrae were confirmed in chest X-ray. Tube thoracostomy in the right chest was performed and about 400 mL of blood was drained. Contrast-enhanced CT showed a large hematoma around the vertebrae fractures and contrast extravasation from the intercostal arteries. As hemodynamics of the patient was very unstable, angiography was immediately performed with massive fluid resuscitation. Angiography showed contrast extravasation from the bilateral ninth, tenth, and 11th intercostal arteries. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was performed using Gelfoam particles. The contrast extravasation had disappeared in all arteries. The hemodynamics of the patient gradually stabilized after TAE. On hospital day 44, he was transferred to a hospital near his home for an operation on the thoracic vertebrae and rehabilitation. When the reliability, rapidity, and low invasiveness of TAE for arterial bleeding are taken into consideration, we believed that this patient’s life could be saved by TAE.     

Emergent transcatheter arterial embolization in hemodynamically unstable patients with blunt splenic injury

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Splenic preservation is currently the trend for treatment of patients with splenic trauma to avoid complications of splenectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of emergent transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for hemodynamically unstable patients with blunt splenic injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a period of 2 years, 65 patients of blunt splenic trauma were studied. Patients with initial systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg and showed initial response including rapid response and transient response to the emergent fluid resuscitation were included. Angiography and TAE was undertaken if contrast medium extravasation or pseudoaneurysm formation was noted in the computed tomography (CT) images, according to the criteria of American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. All patients who underwent TAE were admitted for observation of the possibility of delayed rupture. RESULTS: Thirteen hemodynamically unstable patients who were responsive to initial fluid resuscitation received angiography due to abnormal CT findings including contrast agent extravasation in 12 patients, 2 patients with arteriovenous fistula, and 8 patients with pseudoaneurysm formation. TAE was successfully performed in all of these 13 patients, including 2 patients with associated left renal injuries and 1 patient associated with bilateral internal mammary arteries injuries, without complications. CONCLUSIONS: TAE is a safe and effective procedure for treating blunt splenic injury even in hemodynamically unstable patients who responded to initial fluid resuscitation.     

A Case of Traumatic Mesenteric Bleeding Controlled by only Transcatheter Arterial Embolization

We report a case of mesenteric hematoma following blunt abdominal trauma that was successfully treated with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) and did not require surgical repair. A 43-year-old man with blunt abdominal trauma caused in a factory accident was admitted with a stable general condition and laboratory data. On CT examination, a large mesenteric hematoma with extravasation of contrast media was observed. TAE was first attempted to control the bleeding. A superior mesenteric angiogram showed extravasation of contrast medium from a branch of the ileocolic artery and obstruction of the cecal branch. After successful TAE using microcoils, the distal portion of the cecal branch was still preserved via collateral circulation. No abdominal symptoms have occurred during the 7 months following TAE. In mesenteric injury cases with limited intestinal damage, TAE may therefore be a reasonable alternative to emergent laparotomy.     

Comparison of intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography with conventional angiography after transcatheter arterial embolization for hepatic malignancy

Twenty patients with hepatic malignancy were treated with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) under examination by intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IA-DSA) and conventional angiography (CA). Comparison of these two angiographies revealed that the time required for confirmation of the embolized portion of the artery was about four-and-a-half times shorter with IA-DSA than CA. Moreover, IA-DSA revealed the obstructed portion more readily and accurately than CA. In particular, confirmation could not be made by CA in 35% of cases because of residual Gelform sponge containing contrast medium in the artery. The visualization of residual tumor stain after TAE was 40% better on IA-DSA than CA, because of residual Gelform sponge containing contrast medium and overlapping shadow with calcified costal cartilage, excretory pyelography, and original tumor stain. However, CA was better than IA-DSA in visualizing accidental obstruction of nonobjective arteries such as the cystic artery because of the poor spatial resolution and misregistration artifacts of IA-DSA. CA was better than IA-DSA in visualizing surrounding nonembolized hepatic parenchyma because of the misregistration artifacts of IA-DSA. For effective TAE without severe complication, we concluded that TAE for HCC should be performed under a combination of IA-DSA and CA.     

急性胰腺炎出血的血管造影诊断及经导管栓塞治疗

目的探讨急性胰腺炎出血的血管造影诊断及经导管栓塞治疗的方法选择及疗效。方法回顾性分析19例急性胰腺炎并发腹腔或胃肠道出血患者行血管介入诊疗的临床资料及治疗结果。结果19例患者共行血管造影检查23次,发现胰及胰周血管破裂出血者9例次(9/23,39.1%),假性动脉瘤破裂出血者10例次(10/23,43.5%),脾静脉血栓形成1例次(1/23,4.3%),不能明确出血部位者4例次(4/23,17.4%)。其中13例患者行经导管栓塞治疗。随访1～7个月,5例再发出血,其中4例再次血管造影均发现新的出血病灶,3例患者再次行栓塞治疗,其中2例患者最终因合并严重感染和多器官功能衰竭而死亡,另1例患者经过2次栓塞后无再出血。结论血管造影诊断和经动脉栓塞治疗是急性胰腺炎并出血时首选的紧急治疗方法。     

Multi-section CT angiography compared with digital subtraction angiography in diagnosing major arterial hemorrhage in inflammatory pancreatic disease

PURPOSE: Major arterial hemorrhage is an uncommon but serious complication of pancreatitis with high morbidity and mortality. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has long been the gold standard for the detection of a visceral artery pseudoaneurysm or for the site of active bleeding in patients with pancreatitis. Multi-section CT angiography is a minimally invasive technique which can provide high-resolution and high-contrast images of the arterial lumen and wall, with a much lower risk of complication and morbidity compared to DSA. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of multi-section CT angiography for the diagnosis of arterial complications of inflammatory pancreatitic disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing visceral angiography for major bleeding as a complication of pancreatitis between 1998 and 2004 was performed. Twenty-nine studies in 25 patients (20 males, 5 females) with a mean age of 50.9 years (range 11-67 years) were identified where multi-section CT angiography was performed in the 24 h preceding the digital subtraction angiogram. RESULTS: Digital subtraction angiography detected a pseudoaneurysm or contrast extravasation in 19 studies and no bleeding was demonstrated in 9 studies. CT angiography correctly identified the site and type of bleeding in 18 of the 19 positive studies. CT angiography detected extravasation of contrast in one study that was not demonstrated on digital subtraction angiography. The sensitivity and specificity for multi-section CT angiography for the detection of major arterial bleeding on a background of pancreatitis were 0.947 and 0.900, respectively. CONCLUSION: Multi-section CT angiography is a sensitive and accurate technique for the detection of major arterial hemorrhage in inflammatory pancreatic disease and should be considered as the first investigation in the management of these patients.     

Secondary aortoenteric fistula: active bleeding detected with multi-detector-row CT

We report a case of active bleeding of a secondary aortoenteric fistula (SAEF), in which CT angiography with multi-detector-row CT (MDCT) was finally diagnostic after negative catheter angiography and unsatisfactory endoscopy. The MDCT angiography clearly demonstrated the fistulous tract between the abdominal aortic graft and the duodenum. The dynamic process of bleeding was confirmed as a net increase of contrast agent accumulation in the duodenum through different phases. The MDCT angiography with its excellent 3D image quality is therefore a valuable method in the assessment of active SAEF bleeding.     

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization of Arterial Esophageal Bleeding with the Use of N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate

Objective

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) for the treatment of arterial esophageal bleeding.

Materials and Methods

Between August 2000 and April 2008, five patients diagnosed with arterial esophageal bleeding by conventional angiography, CT-angiography or endoscopy, underwent a TAE with NBCA. We mixed NBCA with iodized oil at ratios of 1:1 to 1:4 to supply radiopacity and achieve a proper polymerization time. After embolization, we evaluated the angiographic and clinical success, recurrent bleeding, and procedure-related complications.

Results

The bleeding esophageal artery directly originated from the aorta in four patients and from the left inferior phrenic artery in one patient. Although four patients had an underlying coagulopathy at the time of the TAE, angiographic and clinical success was achieved in all five patients. In addition, no procedure-related complications such as esophageal infarction were observed during this study.

Conclusion

NBCA can be an effective and feasible embolic agent in patients with active arterial esophageal bleeding, even with pre-existing coagulopathy.     

Transcatheter arterial embolization is effective for mesenteric arterial hemorrhage in trauma

A 58-year-old man was injured in a traffic accident and hemodynamically unstable on admission. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) with contrast enhancement was performed after fluid resuscitation. Fluid accumulated along the mesentery around the cecum. A pseudoaneurysm was found by angiography in the ileal branch. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was performed in the branch using microcoils. His hemodynamics stabilized after TAE. In a CT performed after 12 h, free air was suspected and an exploratory laparotomy was performed. No intestinal perforations were found and hemostasis was completed in the injured mesentery. No ischemic findings were obtained in the intestines. TAE is one of the treatments of choice for mesenteric hemorrhage.     

Traumatic mesenteric bleeding managed solely with transcatheter embolization

We report a rare case of mesenteric bleeding following blunt abdominal trauma successfully treated solely with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of the right colic marginal artery. A 56-year-old woman presented with mesenteric bleeding after being involved in a car accident. Computed tomography (CT) showed a large mesenteric hematoma and hemoperitoneum with no associated major injuries to other organs. There was a pseudoaneurysm with extravasation inside the hematoma. TAE was attempted to control bleeding during the preparation for surgical laparotomy. A superior mesenteric angiogram revealed a right colic marginal artery pseudoaneurysm. After successful TAE with microcoils, the affected colon perfusion was preserved via collateral circulation from the ileocolic artery. No ischemic gastrointestinal complications have occurred, and laparotomy has not been necessary during the 6 months after TAE. In isolated mesenteric injury cases, TAE may be a reasonable alternative to emergency laparotomy.     

Neuroradiological features of intracranial and intraorbital meningeal haemangiopericytomas

The neuroradiological features of six intracranial and one intraorbital haemangiopericytomas (HP) are reviewed. CT was performed before and after IV contrast medium in 5 patients. In 2 patients MRI was performed before and after contrast medium; in another, only unenhanced images were obtained. Five patients were studied by selective external and internal carotid artery angiography. Women constituted 5 of the 7 patients, and the mean age was 50.5 years, thus the sex and age distribution did not differ from that of typical meningiomas. Contrary to previous reports, calcification was present in two of the intracranial HP, and bone erosion was clearly seen in one intracranial HP and the orbital lesion. On MRI the tumours showed no differences from angioblastic meningiomas. All 6 intracranial HP were aggressive; all recurred following treatment and extracerebral metastasis occurred in one case.     

Postmortem dynamic cerebral angiography for detecting aneurysm and bleeding sites in cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage

One of the advantages of postmortem imaging is its ability to obtain diagnostic findings in a non-destructive manner when autopsy is either difficult or may destroy forensic evidence. In recent years, efforts have been made to incorporate computed tomography (CT) based postmortem angiography into forensic pathology; however, it is not currently clear how well the modality can determine sites of bleeding in cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the utility of postmortem cerebral angiography using multi-detector row CT (MDCT) by injecting a contrast medium through a catheter inserted into the internal carotid and vertebral arteries of 10 subarachnoid hemorrhage cases. While postmortem MDCT angiography (PMCTA) was capable of detecting aneurysms in a non-destructive manner, it was sometimes difficult to identify the aneurysm and bleeding sites because of a large amount of contrast medium leaking into the extravascular space. To overcome this problem, we developed the novel contrast imaging method “dynamic cerebral angiography,” which involves scanning the same area multiple times while injecting contrast medium to enable real-time observation of the contrasted vasculature. Using multiphase contrast images acquired by this method, we successfully captured the moment when contrast medium leaked from the hemorrhage site. This method will be useful for identifying exact bleeding sites on PMCTA.     

Retrospective 12-Year Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Managing Bleeding Complications Following Hip Surgery

Purpose

This study was designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for stopping bleeding following hip surgery.

Methods

We performed a 12-year retrospective analysis of 13 patients (M:F = 6:7, median age 72 years) who underwent angiography for bleeding following hip surgery. The types of surgery, latency time, angiographic findings, TAE details, procedure-related complications, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Technical success was defined as no further bleeding detected on angiography following embolization.

Results

Total hip replacement arthroplasty was the most common surgery performed for these patients (n = 10). Seven of the 13 study patients underwent angiography the same day as their surgery. Angiograms showed active (n = 11) or suspicious (n = 1) bleeding in 12 of the 13 patients. Gelatin sponge particles, coils, NBCA, PVA, and their combinations were used as the embolic material. For the one patient without obvious signs of bleeding, prophylactic TAE was done to achieve bleeding control. For the 11 patients with active bleeding, 10 underwent technically successful TAE, and 1 patient underwent surgery due to a large pseudoaneurysm located near the bifurcation of the common femoral artery. There were no major procedure-related complications or patient mortality. The 30-day mortality rate was 15 % (2/13), and both of these patients died of multiorgan failure.

Conclusions

Transcatheter angiography is useful for identifying bleeding arteries. TAE is safe and effective for managing bleeding after hip surgery.     

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization of Concurrent Spontaneous Hematomas of the Rectus Sheath and Psoas Muscle in Patients Undergoing Anticoagulation

We report a case of concurrent rectus sheath and psoas hematomas in a patient undergoing anticoagulant therapy, treated by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of inferior epigastric and lumbar arteries. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated signs of active bleeding in two hematomas of the anterior and posterior abdominal walls. Transfemoral arteriogram confirmed the extravasation of contrast from the right inferior epigastric artery (RIEA). Indirect signs of bleeding were also found in a right lumbar artery (RLA). We successfully performed TAE of the feeding arteries. There have been few reports in the literature of such spontaneous hemorrhages in patients undergoing anticoagulation, successfully treated by TAE.     

Computed Tomography Angiography Prediction of Successful Trasnscatheter Embolization for Type II Endoleak of Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

PurposeTo evaluate the utility of computed tomography (CT) angiography before transarterial embolization (TAE) in predicting TAE’s technical success for type II endoleaks (T2ELs).Materials and MethodsFifty-eight patients (mean age, 74.4 years; range, 46–89 years) who underwent attempted TAE for T2EL from July 2014 to August 2019 and underwent CT angiography before the procedure were included. Each CT angiography result was assessed for a feeding artery that was traceable over its entire course from either the superior mesenteric artery or the internal iliac artery to the endoleak cavity. TAE was performed using coils and was considered technically successful if embolization of the endoleak cavity and feeding artery was performed. The technical success rates were compared between patients with and without traceable feeding arteries.ResultsA fully traceable feeding artery supplying 75% (44/59) of endoleaks in the cohort was identified. TAE was technically successful in 95% (42/44) of these cases but only in 13% (2/15) of the cases without a fully traceable feeding artery (P < .001). When the inferior mesenteric artery was the feeding artery, it was always fully traceable, and TAE was technically successful in 100% (33/33) of the cases. When a lumbar artery was the feeding artery, it was fully traceable in only 42% (11/26) of the cases. When the lumbar artery was not fully traceable, TAE was technically successful in only 13% (2/15) of the cases.ConclusionsThe traceability of a feeding artery over its entire course to an endoleak cavity using CT angiography was associated with TAE’s technical success. Lumbar feeding arteries were less likely to be fully traceable. TAE’s high failure rate when the feeding artery was not fully traceable suggests that translumbar embolization can be considered as an initial approach for theses patients.     

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Gastrointestinal Bleeding Associated with Gastric Carcinoma: Prognostic Factors Predicting Successful Hemostasis and Survival

Purpose

To evaluate outcomes of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for gastric cancer–related gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and factors associated with successful TAE and improved survival after TAE.

超选择性动脉栓塞术治疗医源性肾出血的临床疗效

目的评价超选择性动脉栓塞术治疗医源性肾出血的临床效果。方法 22例医源性严重血尿患者,均经选择性肾动脉数字减影血管造影(DSA)及超选择性肾动脉栓塞(TAE),其中17例用弹簧圈加明胶海绵栓塞,另5例单用明胶海绵栓塞。结果 DSA清晰地显示了全部患者病侧肾的对比剂外溢,其中4例合并动静脉瘘,主要累及肾中下极动脉分支。22例中的20例(90.9%)是一次TAE获得成功,其余2例起先均是单用明胶海绵栓塞,栓塞后,1例持续有血尿,另1例3 d后再次出现血尿,随后,二次用弹簧圈加明胶海绵栓塞遂使血尿完全消失。平均随访6个月,所有患者均无血尿复发。结论超选择性TAE对于保守治疗无效的医源性肾出血提供了一种安全且有效的治疗方法。