Angiography in patients with pelvic fractures and contrast extravasation on CT following high-energy trauma

Introduction Pelvic fracture may be accompanied by severe bleeding. Computed tomography (CT) is a gold standard diagnostic tool in stable trauma patients. Contrast extravasation detected on CT of pelvis is a sign of hemorrhage, but its significance is not clear. We aimed to evaluate the need for angiography in patients with pelvic fracture and CT revealed contrast extravasation. We tried to identify parameters that might help to choose patients who will benefit from therapeutic angiography. Methods Electronic medical records of patients with pelvic fracture admitted to Level II Trauma Center during 10 years were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who had contrast extravasation on CT were included. Data base consisted of demographics, injury severity, initial physiologic parameters, laboratory data, results of CT and angiography. Results Forty out of 396 patients had contrast extravasation detected by CT. Twelve patients underwent angiography and 4 of them benefited from embolization. The sensitivity of contrast extravasation in evaluating the need for embolization was 1.0 (95% CI 0.398, 1.0), positive predictive value was 0.1 (95% CI 0.028, 0.237), and the negative predictive value was 1.0 (95% CI 0.990, 1.0). Conclusion The role of angiography in stable patients with pelvic fracture and CT identified contrast extravasation remains questionable. Most of these patients are not in need of angioembolization.