Hypovolaemic shock due to a fracture of the superior pubic ramus in a young man

Pelvic ring fracture in the older adults after minor pelvic trauma - is it an innocent injury?

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of severe hemorrhage as a potentially life-threatening complication in elderly patients with isolated, low-energy pelvic ring fractures, which may be more common than previously described.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at an academic level 1 trauma center, including 579 patients aged over 65 who suffered from isolated low-energy pelvic fractures between 2006 and 2020. Pelvic computer tomography (CT) scans, with or without contrast, were performed and reviewed for patients with suspected posterior ring injury or bleeding. Patients without CT scans were excluded from the study.

RESULTS

Among the 123 patients with isolated pubic rami fractures, 30 (24.4 %) had bleeding with a significant hemoglobin drop (>2 g%). 21(70 %) patients of these had posterior pelvic ring involvement as compared to 45 who did not bleed (51 %, p = 0.07). There was a significantly larger proportion of patient who received anticoagulant therapy (ACT) with posterior ring injury among the bleeding group (20 % vs 3.2 % p < 0.01). Treatment included blood transfusion (19/123, 15.5 %), and arterial angiographic embolization (5/123, 4 %). No complications related to angio-embolization were observed, and all patients survived the initial 90-day period. No other source of bleeding was identified in any of these patients.

CONCLUSION

Severe pelvic hemorrhage in the older adults due to a minor pelvic injury after a low-energy trauma is not an uncommon complication, especially with combination of ACT and posterior pelvic ring fracture. This indicates that these injuries more challenging than previously believed. Geriatric pelvic ring injuries should be monitored carefully with serial blood counts, and low threshold for imaging including contrast enhanced CT scans and angiography.

Life-Threatening Bleeding Following a Stable Fracture of the Superior Pubic Ramus: A Case Report

Corona mortis, an anatomical variant documented in the literature, presents a noteworthy concern due to its proximity to the superior pubic ramus. Consequently, it remains susceptible to injury, even in stable, benign fractures of the pelvis, typically addressed through conservative management. Stable pelvic fractures are infrequently associated with complications; therefore, diligent monitoring is often overlooked in clinical practice. However, it becomes crucial, particularly in the elderly population given their suboptimal hemostatic capabilities. The standard approach for managing bleeding associated with pelvic fractures involves superselective embolization, a minimally invasive procedure with favorable outcomes. We present a case involving a 61-year-old female who experienced a stable pelvic fracture following low-energy trauma. Despite the ostensibly benign nature of the fracture, the patient exhibited hemodynamic instability attributable to bleeding from the corona mortis, necessitating embolization. The pelvic fracture itself was managed conservatively, leading to the patient's subsequent discharge in a stable condition. Therefore, we advocate for a comprehensive physical examination, serial hemoglobin monitoring, and additional imaging modalities based on the patient's clinical condition.

The Role of Transcatheter Arterial Embolization in Traumatic Pelvic Hemorrhage: Not Only Pelvic Fracture

Purpose: The most common life-threatening complication of pelvic trauma is bleeding. Arterial bleedings frequently require active management, preferably with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). Hemodynamic instability and/or contrast extravasation at computer tomography (CT) examination are reliable indicators of arterial injury. Unstable pelvic fractures are much more hemorrhagic than stable fractures. Nevertheless, an absent or isolated pelvic fracture does not exclude pelvic hemorrhage.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on our institutional database by collecting data of patients who underwent pelvic angiography and/or embolization due to pelvic blunt trauma in the period between August 2010 and August 2015.

Results: In a period of five years, 39 patients with traumatic pelvic bleeding underwent angiography at our institution. Thirty-six of the 39 (92%) patients did show CT signs of active pelvic bleeding. Nineteen of 39 (49%) patients were hemodynamically unstable at presentation. Three of the 39 patients did not require embolization. Technical success was 35/36 (97%), and overall mortality was 3/39 (8%). Notably, 5/39 (13%) patients did not have any pelvic fracture at presentation, and 18/39 (46%) had only isolated or stable pelvic ring fracture.

Conclusions: TAE is an effective technique to treat arterial pelvic bleeding after trauma. The absence of a major pelvic fracture does not exclude the risk of active bleeding requiring prompt treatment.

Management of Life-Threatening Arterial Hemorrhage Following a Fragility Fracture of the Pelvis in the Anticoagulated Patient: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background:

Life-threatening arterial bleeding from fragility fractures of the pelvis are very rare but associated with significant mortality, especially in anticoagulated patients.

Case Description:

We report the successful interdisciplinary management of a 78-year-old woman under anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy who had life-threatening arterial hemorrhage from the pubic rami following a fragility fracture of the pelvis. Our management strategy included early hemorrhage control by means of selective arterial embolization followed by surgical fracture stabilization and surgical hematoma evacuation.

Literature Review:

We identified 6 cases within the English literature, all involving females older than 70 years. All patients under anticoagulation developed hemorrhagic shock, and in 2 cases selective embolization contributed to survival of the patient. However, a combined management including fracture stabilization and hematoma evacuation has not been reported, allowing an excellent clinical outcome and discharge to geriatric rehabilitation.

Clinical Relevance:

This case illustrates that elderly patients with apparently benign pelvic fragility fractures might develop severe hemorrhage due to arterial injury, especially when under dual anticoagulation, and stresses the importance of a high index of suspicion. If bleeding is suspected, detailed imaging studies are necessary to determine the source of bleeding and immediate angiographic or surgical interventions in combination with volume resuscitation and coagulation therapy should be readily available.

Massive haemorrhage following minimally displaced pubic ramus fractures

BACKGROUND

Fractures of the pubic rami are the most frequent osteoporotic pelvic fracture. Although generally innocuous, epidemiologic research demonstrated a decreased survival in patients with pubic rami fractures compared to healthy controls. Sporadic cases of potentially lethal bleedings have been reported. The aim of this study was to report a consecutive series and review of the literature of patients with severe bleeding following minimally displaced pubic ramus fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We report on four cases who presented at our emergency department in 2012 and 2013. A systematic review was performed to find other cases of pubic ramus fracture with severe bleeding from the literature.

RESULTS

Four elderly patients presented with severe bleeding following os pubis fracture after trivial falls from ground level. Successful arterial embolisation was performed in two cases. These patients were discharged in good clinical condition. Two other patients were refrained from further treatment due to a pre-existing poor prognosis. Twenty-two additional cases were found in the literature. Successful arterial embolisation was performed in 20 cases, of whom 17 survived.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe bleeding, mostly secondary to corona mortis avulsions, is a rare but potentially lethal complication of pubic ramus fractures. Physicians should be aware of this complication and actively look for symptoms of bleeding. Super-selective arterial embolisation seems safe and highly effective to control bleeding secondary to pubis rami fractures in elderly patients.

Massive haemorrhage from the internal iliac artery following a low energy superior pubic ramus fracture in a 73-year-old man

We report a case of a 73-year-old man with a background of aspirin use who fell and sustained a minimally displaced right superior pubic ramus fracture. He subsequently developed hypotension that necessitated fluid resuscitation, associated with a significant drop in blood haemoglobin levels that required a packed red blood cell transfusion. CT scans revealed the presence of two pelvic haematomas, with ongoing bleeding. An angiogram demonstrated bleeding from the superior vesical branch of the anterior division of the right internal iliac artery, which was successfully embolised with gelfoam slurry. The patient recovered uneventfully thereafter. This is a unique case involving an unexpected injury to the superior vesical branch of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery following low energy trauma to an elderly man. We recommend that patients who develop hypotension following a seemingly-benign isolated pubic ramus fracture be evaluated for concomitant arterial injuries with the relevant CT imaging and angiography.

Delayed presentation of hypovolemic shock after a simple pubic ramus fracture

Although trauma-induced simple pubic ramus fracture is common in the emergency department (ED), it can result in life-threatening hemorrhagic shock. We describe a 58-year-old woman with closed minimally displaced simple pubic ramus fracture. Hemodynamic instability became apparent 2 hours later. She was successfully treated with transarterial embolization and discharged uneventfully 10 days later. Literature review showed involvement of the superior pubic ramus in all reported cases probably because of hemorrhage from “corona mortis” with delay in shock presentation mostly within 6 hours, suggesting at least an equivalent observation period for these patients, particularly those at high risk for hemorrhage.

Angiographic embolisation of pelvic ring injuries. Treatment algorithm and review of the literature

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between pelvic fracture patterns and the angiographic findings, and to assess the effectiveness of the embolisation.

METHODS

This retrospective study, included patients with pelvic fractures and angiographic evaluation. Demographics, Injury Severity Score (ISS), associated injuries, embolisation time, blood units needed, method of treatment and complications were recorded and analysed. Fractures were classified according to the Burgess system.

RESULTS

Between 1998 and 2008, 34 patients with pelvic fractures underwent angiographic investigation. Twenty six were males. The mean age was 41 years. Twenty-seven were motor vehicle accidents and seven were falls. There were 11 anterior posterior (APC) fractures, 12 lateral compression (LC), eight vertical shear (VS) patterns and three with combined mechanical injuries. The median ISS was 33.1 (range 5-66). From the 34 who underwent angiography, 29 had positive vascular extravasations. From them, 21 had embolisation alone, two had vascular repair and embolisation, five required vascular repair alone and one patient died while being prepared for embolisation. Five cases were re-embolised. The findings suggested that AP fractures have a higher tendency to bleeding compared with LC fractures. Both had a higher chance of blood loss compared to VS and complex fracture patterns. We reported 57 additional injuries and 65 fractures. The complications were: one non lethal pulmonary embolism, one renal failure, one liver failure, one systemic infection, two deep infections and two psychological disorientations. Seven patients died in hospital.

CONCLUSION

Control of pelvic fracture bleeding is based on the multidisciplinary approach mainly related to hospital facilities and medical personnel's awareness. The morphology of the fracture did not have a predictive value of the vascular lesion and the respective bleeding.

Massive haemorrhage due to minimally displaced pubic ramus fracture

Fractures of the pubic ramus are commonly seen in the emergency room, but they are thought to be minor injuries. Occasionally, these fractures might be associated with massive haemorrhage. Here we report a case of bilateral obturator artery damage due to minimal displaced pubic ramus fracture.

Massive haemorrhage after a low-energy pubic ramus fracture in a 71-year-old woman

We describe a case of a patient receiving warfarin who presented with a superior pubic ramus fracture after a trivial fall at home. She developed a massive retroperitoneal haematoma as a result of vascular injury and subsequently died. This case emphasises the importance of admitting and observing patients with pubic rami fractures who are receiving antithrombotic treatment, and haemorrhage should be considered if they become haemodynamically compromised.

A protocol for angiographic embolization in exsanguinating pelvic trauma: a report on 31 patients

BACKGROUND

The indication for acquiring angiographic embolization in the initial treatment of severe pelvic fractures is controversial. We describe the characteristics and outcome of 31 patients with traumatic pelvic bleeding who underwent percutaneous angiography with embolization according to a standardized protocol.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During an 8.5-year period, 1,260 patients were treated for pelvic trauma. We performed a prospective registration of the 46 patients who underwent angiography, and report the 31 patients who had signs of significant arterial injury on angiography, necessitating embolization.

RESULTS

The rate of significant arterial injury after pelvic trauma was 2.5%. All patients had been subjected to high-energy injuries and all were severely injured as measured by the Injury Severity Score: 41 (17-66). Pelvic arterial injury was observed with all types of pelvic trauma, including isolated acetabular (4/31) and sacral fractures (3/31). The internal iliac artery or its branches was injured in 28 of 31 patients. Survival rate after embolization was 84%, and correlated inversely with increasing patient age. None of the patients died of bleeding.

INTERPRETATION

Our findings show that significant pelvic arterial injuries occur in a minority of patients after pelvic trauma, and predominantly affect patients with multiple high-energy injuries regardless of fracture type. The effect of angiographic embolization was good.

Multifocal arterial haemorrhage in a partially stable pelvic fracture after a crush injury: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Most pelvic haemorrhages are thought to be caused by injury to small arteries or veins in the fractured cancellous pelvic bone or in the surrounding soft-tissues, and only 6-18% of patients with unstable pelvic fractures have haemorrhage from larger arteries. When arterial injuries are present, the majority involve branches of the internal iliac artery with only few published reports of injuries to the external iliac artery or its branches.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We report of a patient who sustained a combined pelvic and acetabular fracture with multifocal bleeding involving branches of both the internal iliac as well as the external iliac arteries after a crush injury. The primary attention was focused on the most probable arterial injury, the internal iliac artery and only at repeat angiography was the injury to the internal epigastric artery, caused by degloving injury to the trunk, recognized.

RESULTS

Arterial control was achieved only following aggressive fluid resuscitation, pelvic packing, repeated embolization and ligation of the peripelvic inferior epigastric artery. After initial haemodynamic control was achieved, the patient sustained multiple complications, partly as a consequence of the injury, but also as a consequence of the life-saving treatments.

CONCLUSION

The case describes a rare combination of arterial injuries in a complex pelvic fracture constituting a partially stable pelvic fracture and a dislocated acetabular fracture in a patient with pelvic crush injury and a degloving injury to the trunk. The case also describes the complex nature of these injuries and rarely reported problems related to the treatment of them.

Fatal haemorrhage following a low-energy fracture of the pubic ramus

We report a case of fatal haemorrhage following a low-energy fracture of the pubic ramus in an 85-year-old woman.