Inferior phrenic arteries supply to the pulmonary hemorrhagic lesions:angiographic identification and interventional management / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To describe the manifestations of the inferior phrenic arteries(IPA)supply to the pulmonary hemorrhagic lesions and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE)of the IPA.Methods The clinical data and imaging findings of eighteen patients with the additional blood supply to the pulmonary hemorrhagic lesions from the IPA were evaluated retrospectively.The causes of the bleeding were lung malignancies in 9,bronchiectasis in 7,and chronic inflammation in 2 patients.TAE supplementally was performed in patients with IPA supply to the pulmonary lesions,using polyvinyl alcohol particles,gelatin sponge particles,and microcoils.Results Selective arteriogram demonstrates an enlarged IPA,with numerous branches and hypervascularity in all 18 cases, with tumor staining in 9,the contrast material extravasation in 6,and non-specific staining in 2 cases.In addition,IPA-to-pulmonary shunting was found in 9 cases.All the lesions supplying by IPA were adjacent to the pleurae,including adjacent to the diaphragmatic pleura in 11,the mediastinal pleura in 5,and the lateral pleura of the lower lobe in 2 cases.Technical success of IPA embolization was achieved in the 18 cases.Embolization of other nonbronchial systemic arteries(the internal thoracic artery in 7 and intercostal artery in 3)was performed at the same session.All bleeding ceased immediately after supplemental IPA embolization.Follow-up time ranged from 8 months to 4 years.Mild recurrent hemoptysis occurred in 3 patients at 1,2,6 months respectively,after the embolization.These patients were responsive to conservative management.Recurrent bleeding did not occur in 15 patients during the follow-up. Conclusion The pulmonary hemorrhagic lesions,especially adjacent to the diaphragmatic and mediastinal pleurae,can be supplied by IPA,and may result in clinical failure following BAE.Supplemental TAE of IPA is a safe and effective adjunct to BAE in the management of bronchial bleeding supplied by IPA.