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A 43-year-old man with chronic alcohol pancreatitis was admitted in our intensive care unit for an haemorrhagic shock. An abdominal CT-scan performed on admission showed bleeding from a vessel in a pancreatic pseudocyst. Initial treatment included intravenous fluids, transfusion, mechanical ventilation and vasopressive support. Percutaneous arterial embolization (PAE) of a bleeding right superior colon artery was performed with an initial good result. Nevertheless after initial clinical improvement, hypotension refractory to fluid management occurred. An abdominal CT-scan disclosed pneumatosis in right colon. A right hemicolectomy was performed. Histologic analysis confirmed ischemic colitis. The patient recovered and was discharged from the intensive care unit. Colitis necrosis after PAE for pancreatic pseudoaneurysm had never been described before. It should be suspected when haemodynamic instability occurs following PAE.

Gelfoam has routinely been used, according to Larroca and Macnab, to prevent scar formation about the dura mater and the nerve roots after laminectomy. We report a case in which postoperative monoradicular paralysis resulted from compression of the thecal cul-de-sac by a hematoma held in place by the Gelfoam. A review of the literature on prevention of adhesions after laminectomy is included.