Experimental diminution fo splenci function by  selective embolization of the splenic artery.
The splenic artery was occluded by the selective injection of Amicar-mixed clot or Gelfoam in 18 dogs. The dogs were sacrificed at 24 hours, two weeks and two months. Angiography was done before and after embolization, three hours after embolization and prior to sacrifice. White blood counts and hematocrit values were evaluated weekly in the dogs sacrificed at two months. The results of this study reveal differences in the effects of the two embolic materials. Because Amicar-mixed clot was partially lysed in the first several hours and also pushed peripherally, the depression of hematologic function seen with its use was transient and most spleens returned to a relatively normal gross and histologic appearance. With Gelfoam, although the embolic material was also pushed peripherally into the branches of the splenic artery in several of the dogs, the depression of hematologic function was prolonged, and moderate splenic parenchymal fibrosis was seen. The areas between the bands of fibrosis appeared normal. The results indicate that selective embolic occlusion of the splenic artery and its branches may offer a method of depressing splenic function in patients who are not candidates for splenectomy.
D000614:Aminocaproates; D000792:Angiography; D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D002404:Catheterization; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D004617:Embolism; D005781:Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable; D006400:Hematocrit; D008722:Methods; D013154:Spleen / Q000503:physiopathology; D013157:Splenic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*
D000614:Aminocaproates