Role of arterial embolization on blunt hepatic trauma patients with type I contrast extravasation.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in the management of hemodynamically stable blunt hepatic trauma (BHT) patients with contrast material extravasation into the peritoneal cavity, known as type I contrast material extravasation, on computed tomography (CT) scan.

METHODS: Adult patients who sustained BHT and who were hemodynamically stable after initial resuscitation underwent abdominal CT scan. If the abdominal CT scan revealed type I contrast material extravasation, patients who remained hemodynamically stable were sent for angiography.

RESULTS: During a 30-month period, 8 patients were identified with type I contrast material extravasation. Three received immediate celiotomy because of hemodynamic instability. Five patients received angiography and subsequent TAE. One patient received celiotomy after TAE. The success rate of TAE was 50% (4/8).

CONCLUSION: With TAE, nonoperative management of hemodynamically stable BHT patients with type I contrast material extravasation on CT scan was achieved in half patients.