Embolization of blood vessels in the abdominal cavity is an advanced, minimally invasive medical procedure aimed at proactively and controlledly blocking blood flow in a specific artery or vein. The procedure is performed in a variety of clinical scenarios, with the main goals being to stop active internal bleeding or to treat tumors and other vascular conditions.
Abdominal bleeding can result from trauma, a bleeding stomach ulcer, or following other medical procedures. In cases of tumors, whether benign or malignant in organs such as the liver or kidneys, the goal of embolization is to "starve" the tumor by blocking the essential blood supply for its development, leading to its shrinkage or destruction. The procedure is suitable for patients who cannot undergo open surgery or as an efficient, less invasive alternative to surgery.
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The process takes place in a catheterization room under advanced X-ray fluoroscopy guidance. The interventional radiologist inserts a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) through a tiny puncture in the skin, usually in the groin or wrist area. Using guidewires and contrast medium injected into the blood vessels, the physician navigates the catheter up the arterial system until reaching the exact problematic blood vessel in the abdomen that requires treatment. At this point, various embolic agents are released through the catheter, such as tiny platinum metal coils, measured-size particles, or special medical glue. These materials cause a local blood clot to form and seal the blood vessel, thereby stopping the bleeding or blood supply to the tumor, without damaging adjacent organs.