Post-Tracheostomy Vascular Injury to the Anomalous Thymic Branch Managed by Endovascular Coiling

Background Tracheostomy-related arterial haemorrhage can be devastating especially if arising from an obscure anomalous vessel which can potentially complicate treatment decision. Methods We report a case of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with upper airway obstruction, who had profuse bleeding, post-tracheostomy, from the stomal site. CT angiography showed presence of a pseudoaneurysm adjacent to the tracheostomy site which was confirmed on catheter angiography to be arising from anomalous thymic branch of right common carotid artery (CCA). Superselective cannulation of the anomalous thymic artery was done using a microcatheter with subsequent coil embolization. Results Post-coiling, the bleeding stopped immediately and the patient recovered. He was under oncology care till 3 months following embolization and was doing well. Conclusions The emergency physicians should be aware of this rare variation of thymic artery while performing tracheostomy. Ultrasound as point-of-care device may help mitigate these complications. Endovascular embolization is a minimally invasive and effective management option for an injured arterial branch from a tracheostomy.

Critical presentation and management of an acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage as a result of an arterioenteric fistula secondary to a failed pancreatic allograft

We present a case of a 60-year-old woman status post failed pancreatic transplant, presenting with right lower extremity pain and large volume rectal bleeding. The team initiated a massive transfusion protocol. Investigations revealed an arterioenteric (AE) fistula between the right external iliac artery and terminal ileum. The patient was then emergently sent for right iliac artery stent placement, successfully stopping the active arterial haemorrhage. Afterwards, the surgical team transected the pancreatic jejunal anastomosis, subsequently resecting 7 cm of jejunum. On postoperative day 1, the patient became unstable, going into disseminated intravascular coagulation evidenced by low platelet count, elevated prothrombin time and bloody output from multiple sites. Resuscitation with pressors and blood product transfusion was unsuccessful. She was made comfort measures only and expired shortly after extubation. Although a rare aetiology, it is important to consider AE fistulas in patients presenting with vascular and gastrointestinal symptoms in the setting of a failed allograft.

Midthoracic Pain, Sentinel Arterial Haemorrhage and Exsanguination after a Symptom-Free Interval (Chiari's Triad) is Diagnostic of Arterio-Oesophageal Fistula: A Life-Threatening Cause of Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Introduction: Arterio-oesophageal fistulae are a very uncommon cause of severe gastrointestinal bleeding, and mostly result from an aberrant right subclavian artery and mediastinal surgery or prolonged endotracheal/nasogastric intubation. Material and Methods: We present the case of a patient with an oesophageal adenocarcinoma and haematemesis due to a subclavian arterio-oesophageal fistula after mediastinal radiotherapy. Conclusion: We discuss the rare, life-threatening condition of acute erosion of the left subclavian artery caused by an oesophageal tumour and presenting with Chiari's triad.

Transarterial embolisation is associated with improved survival in patients with pelvic fracture: propensity score matching analyses

Introduction Transarterial embolisation (TAE) is an effective intervention for management of arterial haemorrhage associated with pelvic fracture. However, its effects on survival and clinical outcomes are unclear. Methods Trauma patients with survival data between November 2015 and December 2019 were identified using a trauma database. Patients were divided between TAE and non-TAE groups, and a propensity score was developed using multivariate logistic regression. Survival at 28 days was compared between the groups after propensity score matching. Results Among 881 patients included in this study, 308 (35.0%) were treated with TAE. After propensity score matching, 130 pairs were selected. Survival at 28 days was significantly higher among patients treated with TAE than among those treated without TAE [122 (93.9%) vs. 112 (86.2%); odds ratio = 2.45; 95% CI 1.02–5.86; p = 0.039]. Conclusions TAE use was associated with improved survival at 28 days in patients with pelvic fracture and should therefore be considered in the management of severely injured patients with pelvic fracture.

Renal artery embolisation immediately prior to emergency trauma nephrectomy

The aim of emergency nephrectomy in cases of blunt renal trauma is to control bleeding and so should not be delayed. We present a case of grade V blunt renal trauma where renal artery emoblisation (RAE) was used in the operating theatre immediately prior to trauma nephrectomy in order to control arterial haemorrhage. In this case, prior utilisation of RAE allowed the urologist to perform a standard approach to the renal pedicle by opening the retroperitoneal space. This is more routinely practiced and carries less risk of vascular mesenteric injury compared with the standard approach in trauma. Intra-operatively, there was minimal bleeding and the intra-vascular coils were easily ligated. Post operatively the patient avoids the sequelae of an ischaemic kidney associated with delayed interval nephrectomy.