Interventional Radiology for Pelvic Trauma

Abstract

Blunt pelvic trauma is a severe condition that is often associated with massive hemorrhage and high mortality and morbidity rates. Pelvic radiographic imaging is a useful screening tool to rapidly determine the need for immediate intervention. Computed tomography is the mainstay for assessing pelvic fractures and retroperitoneal hematomas. Multimodality therapies, including external pelvic stabilization, transcatheter arterial embolization and extra─peritoneal pelvic packing are useful adjunctive procedures that require appropriately trained and immediately available personnel. Transcatheter arterial embolization has advanced remarkably. The clinical usefulness of this procedure for the control of traumatic bleeding is now well established. It is important to have a sound understanding of the diagnostic and treatment strategies for pelvic trauma. This review article focuses on the radiologic findings and technical aspects of emergent interventional radiology for pelvic trauma.