PERCUTANEOUS TRANSARTERIAL EMBOLIZATION IN TRAUMATIC KIDNEY BLEEDING

Purpose: To demonstrate the possibility of transarterial, superselecti ve embolization after traumatic kidney injury and hemorrhage in patien ts usually treated by surgery. Methods: In a series of 16 patients age d 21 to 86 years (mean 37 years) external trauma led to kidney damage and consecutive bleeding, After diagnostic angiography (5 F) the exact site of hemorrhage was detected and treated by superselective emboliz ation via a coaxial catheter system (2.7 F) either by coils (n = 5) or liquid agents (ethibloc, n = 11). Results: In all patients bleeding w as stopped interventionally. Additional surgical treatment was not nec essary in any case. In one older patient with preinterventionally know n reduced kidney function, the excretion function decreased to creatin ine levels of about 3.6 mg/dl after therapy and led to compensated nep hric insufficiency. Other complications were not observed. Conclusion: Interventional embolization is a well tolerated and effective treatme nt modality after traumatic kidney hemorrhage. After exclusion of othe r injuries obligate for surgery, percutaneous transarterial therapy ma y help to avoid an operation. This reduces the risk of narcosis and tr eatment especially in multimorbid patients.