Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for slenic injury: with special emphasis on rebleeding *
Purpose:The therapeutic effects of TAE for splenic injury and the complications in patients who underwent it were investigated. Subjects and Methods:The subjects were 30 patients who underwent angiography for TAE in the treatment of splenic injury in our hospital. In each patient, the severity of injury, angiographic findings, location of the embolization, embolization material, and post-TAE course were investigated. After TAE, the presence or absence of a vessel that could offer collateral circulation to the splenic parenchyma was examined. Results:TAE was performed in 26 of the 30 patients. Embolization was achieved using only a gelatin sponge（n＝19）, or using a gelatin sponge and metalic coils（n＝７）. Segmental or subsegmental TAE was performed using a microcatheter in 19 patients. Rebleeding was confirmed in two patients who underwent segmental TAE, and collateral circulation could have been involved. Angiographic findings suggested that the left gastroepiploic, short gastric or caudal pancreatic arteries could offer collateral circulation. Conclusions:If rebleeding is seen after TAE, even when superselective TAE is performed favorably, blood reflow through collateral circulation must be considered.（Accepted on march 19，2007）
