BackTable / VI / Podcast / Episode #270
Treatment Algorithms for Splenic Artery Embolizations
with Dr. Chris Grilli
In this episode, Dr. Aaron Fritts interviews Dr. Chris Grilli of Christiana Health about his treatment algorithms and procedural tips for splenic embolization as a treatment for splenic trauma, hypersplenism, and splenic artery aneurysm.
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BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2022, December 9). Ep. 270 – Treatment Algorithms for Splenic Artery Embolizations [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com

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Podcast Contributors
Dr. Chris Grilli
Dr. Christopher Grilli is a practicing interventional radiologist with the ChristianCare Interventional Radiology Group in Delaware.
Dr. Aaron Fritts
Dr. Aaron Fritts is a Co-Founder of BackTable and a practicing interventional radiologist in Dallas, Texas.
Show Notes
Dr. Grilli explains that the most common indication for splenic embolization is trauma. He walks us through different trauma guidelines for grading splenic trauma. At his institution, if only a small portion of parenchyma is involved, the patient is monitored. If significant trauma and vascular injury is present and the patient is mostly stable, the patient gets referred to IR. Dr. Grilli notes that the decision to refer to IR or trauma surgery is also institutionally dependent. Across most institutions, it is more common to monitor pediatric splenic trauma rather than intervene.
Next. Dr. Grilli walks us through an embolization for splenic trauma. He will most often opt for femoral access, unless there is underlying pathology or very large body habitus. He uses a 5Fr sheath and then navigates to the splenic artery with a C2 angiographic catheter. Then, he performs angiography to visualize the bleed, decide if he wants to embolize proximally or distally, and chooses his embolic agent.
The doctors discuss pros and cons of using plugs, coils, and liquid embolics. Coils can induce stasis more quickly than a plug can. There are also coils with different materials and mechanisms of deployment. Dr. Grilli notes that an angiographic run at the end of an ideal case would show that the embolic device has obstructed flow in the main artery and the spleen is now being perfused by collaterals.
Finally, we address non-traumatic indications for splenic embolization. In hypersplenism, oncologists will refer patients to IR to address platelet sequestration. Dr. Grilli says that these cases require embolization of segmental branches of the splenic artery, in the effort to kill off 40-70% of the spleen. This procedure could introduce significant adverse effects that must be discussed with the patient beforehand. In embolization of splenic artery aneurysms, Dr. Grilli prefers to use long packing coils or covered stents.
Resources
ChristianaCare IR Residency:
https://residency.christianacare.org/vascular-interventional-radiology
AAST Spleen Injury Scale:
https://www.aast.org/resources-detail/injury-scoring-scale#spleen
WSES Classification and Guidelines for Splenic Trauma:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28828034/
Cobra 2 (C2) Catheter:
https://meritoem.com/product-category/catheters-extrusions/diagnostic-peripheral/performa-impress/cobra-2/
Sarah Catheter:
https://www.terumois.com/products/catheters/optitorque.html
Penumbra Pod Device:
https://www.penumbrainc.com/peripheral-device/pod/
Embold Fibered Coil:
https://www.bostonscientific.com/en-US/products/embolization/embold-detachable-coil-system.html
Interlock Coil:
https://www.bostonscientific.com/en-US/products/embolization/interlock-and-idc-detachable-embolization-coils.html
Management of Hypersplenism by Partial Splenic Embolization With Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (Onyx):
https://www.ajronline.org/doi/full/10.2214/AJR.10.4401?mobileUi=0
MYNXGRIP Closure Device:
https://cordis.com/na/products/close/endovascular/mynxgrip-vascular-closure-device
AngioSeal Closure Device:
https://www.terumois.com/products/closure/angio-seal-vascular-closure-devices/angio-seal.html
CELT Closure Device:
https://www.veryanmed.com/usa/products/celt-acd-vascular-closure-device/
Disclaimer: The Materials available on BackTable.com are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.