Emergency embolization in blunt hepatic trauma

Abstract

The right hepatic artery in a patient with traumatic liver tear was embolized with Gelfoam to stop an otherwise uncontrollable hemorrhage. The procedure was probably life saving in this patient. Transient elevated transaminase and bilirubin levels returned to normal 3 weeks after embolization. A repeat hepatic arteriogram 4 months after embolization demonstrated good revascularization of the right hepatic lobe from the left hepatic, left gastric, and gastroduodenal arteries. This case demonstrates the therapeutic value and safety of selective hepatic arterial branch embolization in massive life-threatening hemorrhage.