1194 Review Article on Endovascular Interventions in Trauma Page 1 of 16 Splenic trauma: endovascular treatment approach Maxwell Cretcher, Catherine E. P. Panick, Alexander Boscanin, Khashayar Farsad Department of Interventional Radiology, Dotter Interventional Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA Contributions: (I) Conception and design: All authors; (II) Administrative support: All authors; (III) Provision of study materials or patients: All authors; (IV) Collection and assembly of data: All authors; (V) Data analysis and interpretation: All authors; (VI) Manuscript writing: All authors; (VII) Final approval of manuscript: All authors. Correspondence to: Khashayar Farsad. Dotter Department of Interventional Radiology, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, L-605, Portland, OR 97239, USA. Email:
[email protected]. Abstract: The spleen is a commonly injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma. Splenic preservation, however, is important for immune function and prevention of overwhelming infection from encapsulated organisms. Splenic artery embolization (SAE) for high-grade splenic injury has, therefore, increasingly become an important component of non-operative management (NOM). SAE decreases the blood pressure to the spleen to allow healing, but preserves splenic perfusion via robust collateral pathways. SAE can be performed proximally in the main splenic artery, more distally in specific injured branches, or a combination of both proximal and distal embolization. No definitive evidence from available data supports benefits of one strategy over the other. Particles, coils and vascular plugs are the major embolic agents used. Incorporation of SAE in the management of blunt splenic trauma has significantly improved success rates of NOM and spleen salvage. Failure rates generally increase with higher injury severity grades; however, current management results in overall spleen salvage rates of over 85%.