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Follow along to learn about partial splenic artery embolization!
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The spleen constitutes an important part of body's immune system and is highly vascular organ. Due to its location is one of the most affected organ in blunt abdominal trauma. The goal of pSAE is to decrease perfusion pressure to promote hemostasis and preserve splenic function

Splenic artery embolization (SAE) may be performed in the presence of abdominal trauma involving the spleen and non-traumatic pathologies such as hypersplenism, portal HT, and visceral aneurysms.

Splenic artery embolization has been an effective alternative in comparison with splenectomy and in which the spleen function is preserved leading to reduction of potential sepsis risk due to encapsulated microorganism.

Splenic artery embolization should be performed once the patient is hemodynamically stable.

Catheter and embolic agents may vary upon the access point and the physician's overall preference. The following is a list of the basic requirements.

The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CT have been reported to be as high as 81,90, and 83%, respectively, in predicting the need for splenic artery embolization and helps grade injury severity in the AAST scale.

SAE procedure can be performed partial selective or partial non selective and will depend on the patient's medical condition.

Embolic agents may vary depending on the technique and physician's judgment. For vascular plugs size depends on vessel diameter with a normal median internal diameter of splenic artery with a range between 4.60 mm to 5.35 mm. (aneurysm can have a diameter of up to 9 cm).

Post-operative management and early recognition of potential complications are necessary for a successful recovery.