Transcatheter embilization of the hypogastric arteries in cases of bladder hemorrhage from advanced pelvic cancers: followup in 9 cases.

Bilateral transcatheter embolization of the hypogastric arteries is effective hemostatic treatment for patients with chronic life-threatening bladder hemorrhage from advanced pelvic cancers. We reviewed 9 cases in which this procedure had been done to investigate the immediate results, clinical effects, complications and late results. The minimum followup is 1 year except for 4 patients who were followed until death, which occurred in less than 1 year. Bleeding relapse occurred in only 2 cases and another embolization procedure was done in 1 case without major complications. A considerable decrease in the size of the tumor was noted in 1 patient after the bilateral hypogastric arterial embolization procedure. A rare complication, the Brown-Séquard's-like syndrome, is discussed.