HEPATIC AND RENAL TRAUMA: IMPORTANCE OF ARTERIOGRAPHY IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to show the importance of non-invasive approach in diagnosis and treatment of renal and hepatic trauma, using arteriography as primary treatment in moderate-severe grade injury.

Materials and methods: We observed 24 cases of hepatic and renal trauma in four hospitals in Rome in the 1996. Trauma were classified about their type and gravity (1119) and ATLS classification for emodinamical conditions (1) were used to classify patients (Tab. I).

Results: 12 patients were treated with surgery because of their unstable haemodinamical conditions (III IV classes of ATLS classification) (1). Four patients were treated by arteriographical embolization (in two cases arteriography was primarily used) with complete solution of sintomatology.

Discussion and Conclusion: arteriography was an important procedure in non surgical treatment of hepatic and renal trauma in haemodinamically stable patients. In our study patients treated with arteriographic embolization were definitively restored from hemorrhage. In diagnosis and treatment of these injuries was essential the team collaboration between radiologists and surgeons.