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Background: The management of pediatric trauma with trans-arterial embolization is uncommon, even in level 1 trauma centers; hence, there is a dearth of literature on this subject compared to the adult experience. Objective: To describe a single-center, level 1 trauma center experience with arterial embolization for pediatric trauma. Materials and methods: A retrospective review was performed to identify demographics, transfusion requirements, pre-procedure imaging, procedural details, adverse events, and arterial embolization outcomes over a 19-year period. Twenty children (age 4.5 months to 17 years, median 13.5 years; weight 3.6 to 108 kg, median 53 kg) were included. Technical success was defined as angiographic resolution of the bleeding-related abnormality on post-embolization angiography or successful empiric embolization in the absence of an angiographic finding. Clinical success was defined as not requiring additional intervention after embolization. Results: Seventy-five percent (n=15/20) of patients required red blood cell transfusions prior to embolization with a mean volume replacement 64 ml/kg (range 12–166 ml/kg) and the median time from injury to intervention was 3 days (range 0–16 days). Technical success was achieved in 100% (20/20) of children while clinical success was achieved in 80% (n=16/20). For the 4 children (20%) with continued bleeding following initial embolization, 2 underwent repeat embolization, 1 underwent surgery, and 1 underwent repeat embolization and surgery. Mortality prior to discharge was 15% (n=3). A post-embolization mild adverse event included one groin hematoma, while a severe adverse event included one common iliac artery pseudoaneurysm requiring open surgical ligation. Conclusions: In this single-center experience, arterial embolization for hemorrhage control in children after trauma is feasible but can be challenging and the clinical failure rate of 20% in this series reflects this complexity. Standardization of pre-embolization trauma assessment parameters and embolic techniques may improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: While interventional radiologists occupy a critical role in adult trauma management, the role of interventionalist in pediatric trauma continues to evolve. The indications for transarterial embolization (TAE) are significantly different in pediatric patients in whom non-operative management (NOM) has a much more prominent role than in adults. Contrast extravasation on imaging may not require acute surgical or interventional management as it would in an adult. There are also areas in which pediatric interventional radiology is increasingly useful such as pelvic TAE in failed management, or splenic embolization to treat bleeding without the loss of splenic function inherent to surgical splenectomy. The rapid evolution of techniques and devices in pediatric patients is also changing what interventions are possible in pediatric trauma management which necessitates frequent reassessment of the guidelines and interventional radiology's role in caring for these patients. Conclusion: This review seeks to consolidate the recent literature to describe the evolving role of the interventional radiologist in pediatric trauma management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoblastoma is a rare benign bone tumor that presents with back pain and occurs in the spine approximately 40% of the time. The time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis is typically several months because it is a rare entity and radiographic studies are often negative early in the course of the disease. These highly vascular and locally aggressive tumors require complete and precise resection. The patient presented is a 15-year-old boy with a 14-month history of right-sided neck and shoulder pain. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a lesion in the posterior elements of C7 which extended through the pedicle and into the body. Preoperative angiography confirmed a hypervascular lesion which was successfully embolized. He subsequently underwent piecemeal tumor resection and instrumented fusion. Immediate postoperative imaging demonstrated complete resection. At 18 months follow up the patient has maintained resolution of preoperative symptoms and demonstrates evidence of solid fusion on CT. This multidisciplinary approach markedly decreased blood loss and improved visualization to help achieve complete surgical resection and resolution of clinical symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Priapism is defined as involuntary, prolonged penile erection caused by factors other than sexual arousal, and is classified as either low-flow or high-flow. Embolotherapy is an accepted form of therapy in adults with high-flow priapism. Because the differences in etiology, management and outcome are significant, accurate and timely diagnosis is imperative.Objective: The purpose of this report is to present our experience with embolotherapy for treatment of high-flow priapism in three children.Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study. During an 18-month period, three boys ranging in age from 6 to 15 years presented with priapism. All three children were treated with embolotherapy.Results: All three children were successfully treated with angiography and embolotherapy. One boy had a presentation that initially raised the possibility of low-flow priapism. No complications occurred, and to date all children are able to maintain normal erections.Conclusion: Subselective transcatheter embolization is the procedure of choice for high-flow priapism. In cases where priapism persists despite adequate therapy, angiography might be useful to exclude high-flow disease. In children with high-flow priapism, selective occlusion of the penile arteriovenous fistula led to detumescence and normal erectile function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]