Embolic control of superior mesenteric artery hemorrhage caused by abdominal abscesses

Selective embolization has become an important method for controlling arterial hemorrhage. In the gastrointestinal tract, it has been most useful in patients with bleeding gastric duodenal ulcers [1, 2]. Mesentenic embolization has generally been avoided for fear of ischemia and bowel necrosis. However, our experience in two patients with massive hemorrhage from mesentenic artery branches eroded by abdominal abscesses indicates that selective embolization has a role in certain patients with lifethreatening hemorrhage.