Avascular necrosis of the femoral head as a complication of complex embolization for severe pelvic haemorrhage

We present a case of avascular necrosis of the femoral head following embolization of the right medial femoral circumflex artery with alcohol after a failed prior internal iliac artery ligation to control benign pelvic haemorrhage in a 41-year-old woman. No case of late necrosis of the head of the femur as a complication of iliac artery vessel embolization to control haemorrhage has been documented previously. The problems associated with therapeutic pelvic embolization following ligation of the internal iliac artery and the disruption of the femoral head arterial supply are discussed.