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Repeated embolization of intercostal arteries after blunt chest injury

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Abstract

To deal with an arterial bleeding from the chest wall after a blunt chest injury, embolization of the bleeding arteries can be a valuable therapeutic option, which is less invasive than a thoracotomy. However, its results are variable, being highly operator-dependent. In the present case, we performed successful emergency embolization of the 4th and 5th intercostal arteries for persistent hemorrhage following blunt trauma to the chest. Several days after the first embolization, secondary embolization was required for treating a pseudoaneurysm that was formed in the 5th intercostal artery. Although the mechanisms underlying pseudoaneurysm formation are not clearly understood, its rupture is potentially fatal. Therefore, it is essential to carefully follow-up patients who experience blunt chest injury to avoid this serious complication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Hikarigaoka-1, Fukushima, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan

    Chiaki Nemoto, Yukihiro Ikegami, Tsuyoshi Suzuki, Yasuhiko Tsukada, Yoshinobu Abe, Jiro Shimada & Choichiro Tase

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  1. Chiaki Nemoto
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  2. Yukihiro Ikegami
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  3. Tsuyoshi Suzuki
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  4. Yasuhiko Tsukada
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  5. Yoshinobu Abe
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  6. Jiro Shimada
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  7. Choichiro Tase
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Correspondence to Chiaki Nemoto.

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Nemoto, C., Ikegami, Y., Suzuki, T. et al. Repeated embolization of intercostal arteries after blunt chest injury. Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 62, 696–699 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-013-0269-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11748-013-0269-6

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