Computed tomographic imaging in determining the need of embolization for high-grade blunt renal injury.

BACKGROUND: It is well documented that transarterial embolization (TAE) can successfully stop bleeding in renal trauma patients and reduce the failure rate of conservation treatment. However, there is no consensus on the indications for TAE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the criteria for computed tomography (CT) to predict the need for TAE for patients with high-grade blunt renal trauma. METHODS: Of the 137 patients with blunt renal trauma between 2005 and 2010, 81 had a high-grade injury (grade ≥ 3) with stable hemodynamics, who were treated conservatively, were included in the study. CT criteria included contrast extravasation (CE), perirenal hematoma rim distance (PRD), and extent of hematoma. The patients were divided into two groups according to the extent of hematoma on CT, as either Group 1 with localized hematomas or Group 2 with extensive hematomas. We compared the CT and angiographic findings and examined the correlation between patient management and outcome. The CT criteria, alone or in combination, for predicting the subsequent requirement for TAE were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 81 patients, 35 were in Group 1 and 46 were in Group 2, with 35 having CE. The 22 patients who received TAE were all in Group 2 and had CE. Mean PRD was larger for the patients who received TAE than for those who did not. CE, extent of hematoma, and PRD correlated significantly with the need for TAE (all p < 0.001). Overall, the combination of CT criteria for CE and extent of hematoma showed the highest accuracy for predicting the need for TAE. CONCLUSION: CE, extent of hematoma, and PRD were simple and sensitive indicators of patients who required TAE. The combination of CE criteria and extent of hematoma markedly increased the predictive value for predicting the need for TAE. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic study, level III; therapeutic study, level IV.