Intractable bleeding: the role of embolization in a resource-limited country

Transarterial catheter embolization is novel in Ghana, even though it has been practiced over three decades in certain parts of the world. The procedure is safer with the advent of new catheter techniques and embolic agents which place interventional radiology at the forefront of the treatment of bleeding due to myriad of indications. It is fast, safe, and minimally invasive relative to open surgery, especially when other conventional minimally invasive procedures such as endoscopic banding and sclerotherapy fail. This paper presents two cases involving pre-and post-embolization digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) of gastroduodenal artery and bilateral iliac arteries. Findings of DSA of the gastroduodenal artery and bilateral iliac arteries showed florid extravasation and extensive neovascularity. Post embolization DSA showed absent extravasation and near total devascularization. The inclusion of embolization to the management protocols of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and intractable haematuria is recommended.