Gastroepiploic artery embolization for splenic trauma in a liver transplant recipient.

Abstract

The spleen is a highly vascular organ susceptible to injury in blunt abdominal trauma, often leading to massive blood loss. Splenic artery embolization (SAE) has been shown to be a safe and effective nonoperative approach in cases of hemodynamically stable patients with blunt splenic trauma. SAE can be performed proximally or distally, with both approaches demonstrating similar clinical efficacy. This case report describes emergent splenic embolization for acute abdominal trauma in a liver transplant recipient. However, due to the presence of prior splenic artery ligation, a uniquely alternative route through the gastroepiploic artery was used to gain access to the spleen for embolization.