Transarterial embolization of the external carotid artery in the treatment of life-threatening haemorrhage following blunt maxillofacial trauma

Abstract

Background Severe bleeding after blunt maxillofacial trauma is a rare but life-threatening event. Non-responders to conventional treatment options with surgically inaccessible bleeding points can be treated by transarterial embolization (TAE) of the external carotid artery (ECA) or its branches. Case series on such embolizations are small; considering the relatively high incidence of maxillofacial trauma, the ECA TAE procedure has been hypothesized either underused or underreported. In addition, the literature on the ECA TAE using novel non-adhesive liquid embolization agents is remarkably scarce. Patients and methods PubMed review was performed to identify the ECA TAE literature in the context of blunt maxillofacial trauma. If available, the location of the ECA injury, the location of embolization, the chosen embolization agent, and efficacy and safety of the TAE were noted for each case. Survival prognostic factors were also reviewed. Additionally, we present an illustrative TAE case using a precipitating hydrophobic injectable liquid (PHIL) to safely and effectively control a massive bleeding originating bilaterally in the ECA territories. Results and conclusions Based on a review of 205 cases, the efficacy of TAE was 79.4-100%, while the rate of major complications was about 2-4%. Successful TAE haemostasis, Glasgow Coma Scale score ≥ 8 at presentation, injury severity score ≤ 32, shock index ≤ 1.1 before TAE and ≤ 0.8 after TAE were significantly correlated with higher survival rate. PHIL allowed for fast yet punctilious application, thus saving invaluable time in life-threatening situations while simultaneously diminishing the possibility of inadvertent injection into the ECA-internal carotid artery (ICA) anastomoses.

Keywords: blunt maxillofacial trauma; external carotid artery injury; intractable bleeding; non-adhesive liquid embolization agent; precipitating hydrophobic injectable liquid, neurointervention.

Figure 1

A flow diagram based on simplified Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses (PRISMA) guidelines depicting the number of cases identified, included and excluded. The reasons for the exclusions are also noted.

Figure 2

(A) A 3D CT reconstruction showing multiple maxillo-facial fractures. (B) An aortocervical CTA showing two small hematomas in the region of the right pterygopalatine fossa and nasal cavity (black arrows) and a cm 3 × 4 cm hematoma in the region of the left masticatory space and deep parotid space (white arrows). Also visible is a hyperdense material used in left ear tamponade (empty arrows).

Figure 3

(A) A lateral left ECA angiogram showing ECA laceration with 3 × 4 cm pseudoaneurysm continuing into the proximal part of the left IMA. Contrast extravasation can be observed in the vicinity of the pseudoaneurysm. (B) A fluoroscopic view showing left ECA embolization using coils (black arrow) and PHIL 25 liquid embolization agent (white arrow) under balloon flow control (empty arrow). Also of note area small number of stray coils anchored in the vessel in the region of PHIL application (white arrow). (C) A post-embolization lateral left ECA angiogram showing complete exclusion of the ECA distally to the facial artery (black arrow).

Figure 4

(A) A lateral right ECA angiogram showing two pseudoaneurysms in the region of the right pterygopalatine fossa and nasal cavity (black arrows). (B) Fluoroscopy showing microcatether proximally to the hematoma in the right pterygopalatine fossa (black arrow) prior to PHIL 25 application. Also visible is the embolized contralateral ECA (empty arrow). (C) A post-embolization right ECA angiogram showing complete sphenopalatine artery occlusion (black arrow). Also visible are the patent vessels proximally to the embolization.