title: Repeated embolization of intercostal arteries after blunt chest injury.
abstract: To deal with an arterial bleeding from the chest wall after a blunt chest injury, embolization of the bleeding arteries can be a valuable therapeutic option, which is less invasive than a thoracotomy. However, its results are variable, being highly operator-dependent. In the present case, we performed successful emergency embolization of the 4th and 5th intercostal arteries for persistent hemorrhage following blunt trauma to the chest. Several days after the first embolization, secondary embolization was required for treating a pseudoaneurysm that was formed in the 5th intercostal artery. Although the mechanisms underlying pseudoaneurysm formation are not clearly understood, its rupture is potentially fatal. Therefore, it is essential to carefully follow-up patients who experience blunt chest injury to avoid this serious complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Hikarigaoka-1, Fukushima, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan, nemo@fmu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Chiaki
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nemoto
authors.forename: Yukihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ikegami
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Yasuhiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tsukada
authors.forename: Yoshinobu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Jiro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.forename: Choichiro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tase
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D004630:Emergencies; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013895:Thoracic Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*