[Transcatheter arterial embolization in the treatment of facial injury].
BACKGROUND
Maxillofacial injuries may be associated with a variety of problems including airway obstruction and hemorrhage. We studied retrospectively the patients who underwent transcatheter arterial embolization for facial hemorrhage.


METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated medical charts of the 12 patients who underwent transcatheter arterial embolization for facial hemorrhage between January, 2000 and December, 2006. We decided clinical outcome using Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and classified the patients into the favorable outcome group (GR: good recovery, MD: moderate disability), and poor outcome group (D: dead). We compared the two groups regarding blood pressure, pulse rate. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), transufused volume, interval between injury and embolization.


RESULTS
From 12 cases reviewed, nine were males and three were females. The mean age was 42 years (20-73 years). Three patients were GR, one patient was MD, and eight patients were D. In the poor outcome group, shock signs were more common, and GCS was lower. The ISS was correlated with the outcome. The mean interval between injury and embolization was 3.5 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with maxillofacial injuries may be fatal. Airway and breathing maintenance are most important. When pressure and packing fail to control the hemorrhage, prompt transcatheter arterial embolization may be effective.
Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital Organization Disaster Medical Center, 3256 Midori-cho, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo 190-0014, Japan.
Satoru
S
Takeuchi
Masato
M
Homma
Hiroshi
H
Kato
Jyunichi
J
Inoue
Yoshio
Y
Takasato
Hiroyuki
H
Masaoka
Takanori
T
Hayakawa
Naoki
N
Otani
Yoshikazu
Y
Yoshino
Hiroshi
H
Yatsushige
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002342:Carotid Artery, External; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011674:Pulse; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D016896:Treatment Outcome