Impact of site of occlusion in proximal splenic artery embolisation for blunt splenic trauma.

BACKGROUND: Proximal splenic artery embolisation (PSAE) can be performed in stable patients with Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade III-V splenic injury. PSAE reduces splenic perfusion but maintains viability of the spleen and pancreas via the collateral circulation. The hypothesized ideal location is between the dorsal pancreatic artery (DPA) and great pancreatic artery (GPA). This study compares the outcomes resulting from PSAE embolisation in different locations along the splenic artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review was performed of PSAE for blunt splenic trauma (2015-2020). Embolisation locations were divided into: Type I, proximal to DPA; Type II, DPA-GPA; Type III, distal to GPA. Fifty-eight patients underwent 59 PSAE: Type I (7); Type II (27); Type III (25). Data was collected on technical and clinical success, post-embolisation pancreatitis and splenic perfusion. Statistical significance was assessed using a chi-squared test. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 100% of cases. Clinical success was 100% for Type I/II embolisation and 88% for Type III: one patient underwent reintervention and two had splenectomies for ongoing instability. Clinical success was significantly higher in Type II embolisation compared to Type III (p = 0.02). No episodes of pancreatitis occurred post-embolisation. Where post-procedural imaging was obtained, splenic perfusion remained 100% in Type I and II embolisation and 94% in Type III. Splenic perfusion was significantly higher in the theorized ideal Type II group compared to Type I and III combined (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The results support the proposed optimal embolisation location as being between the DPA and GPA.

Acute mesenteric ischaemia: imaging and intervention.

Acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) is an abdominal emergency in which an acute reduction in mesenteric arterial supply threatens bowel viability and may result in bowel infarction, perforation, and death. Despite improvements in diagnosis and treatment over recent decades, mortality rates in AMI remain very high. This article discusses the aetiological classification, pathophysiology, and clinical aspects of AMI. The specific imaging characteristics of each aetiological type of AMI are detailed and the role of different imaging methods in the diagnosis of AMI is discussed. Surgery is the established treatment of choice for AMI, but there is increasing use of endovascular techniques in treating AMI in cases where there are no clinical features of peritonism or radiological evidence of irreversible ischaemia. This article reviews the evidence for different diagnostic and management strategies for patients with AMI and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of surgical and endovascular treatments. Endovascular techniques have been reported to have high technical success rates and favourable outcomes when compared to open surgery; however, patient selection bias and a paucity of data limit the conclusions that can be drawn.