The Place of Vascular Interventional Radiology in the Management of Abdominal Traumas

Interventional radiology is a key factor in the management of abdominal traumas, thanks to embolization which allows rapid and efficient endovascular haemostasis, with a low morbidity rate. The main indications for endovascular treatment are hepatic, splenic, renal or other site of ongoing bleeding detected on CT scans of patients with stable hemodynamic condition, prophylactic embolization of high grade splenic traumas and embolization of any haemorrhagic pelvic traumas regardless of the patient's hemodynamic status. Endo-aortic balloon occlusion is another efficient technique for lifesaving treatment of catastrophic pelvic haemorrhages. The place of interventional radiology in the management of pelvic and abdominal traumas should only be considered within a multidisciplinary trauma team and a trauma network where flowcharts for patient care are established, reviewed and adapted according to professional guidelines and depending on the specific local conditions of each trauma centre.