Abstract No. 53 Early Results of Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Chronic Wrist Pain

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) of branches from radial and ulnar arteries for chronic wrist pain relief. Eleven patients (12 wrist joints) who underwent TAE from July 2020 to May 2021 for chronic wrist pain that was refractory to conservative treatment were involved in this retrospective study. Brachial arteriography was performed to detect abnormal enhancement around the wrist joint. Quick-soluble gelatin sponge particles or imipenem/cilastatin were used as embolic materials. Technical success was defined as super-selective embolization of at least one feeding artery. The degree of pain was evaluated using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS). Clinical success was defined as a decrease in the VAS score of more than 50% from that measured at baseline. The technical success rate was 100% (12/12). The follow-up duration was 6 months for all 12 cases. The mean VAS scores at baseline, immediately after TAE, and at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after TAE were 6.58, 3.25, 3.25, 2.83, 2.50, 1.83, and 2.08, respectively. The clinical success rate was 75.0% (9/12). Hematoma at the puncture site occurred in one case and brachial arterial dissection during the procedure occurred in one case. TAE in patients with chronic wrist pain has a high technical and clinical success rate. It could be considered as a treatment option for relieving chronic wrist pain that is refractory to conservative treatment.