Inferior epigastric artery injury after percutaneous imaging-guided peritoneal dialysis catheter placement

Abstract

Inferior epigastric artery (IEA) injury is a rare clinical entity that is usually associated with abdominal wall procedures and injuries though can also be spontaneous, particularly in individuals with coagulopathy. Of all described mechanisms of injury, percutaneous peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertion is a rarely encountered, particularly in instances where insertion is performed under imaging guidance. While this injury is self-limited, it can be associated with hemodynamic instability and acute blood loss anemia, which can be fatal if left untreated. Computed tomographic (CT) angiography is the diagnostic method of choice. Transcatheter arterial embolization is an effective treatment modality with a high success rate. Here, we describe a 41-year-old female who underwent percutaneous PD catheter insertion that, despite intraprocedural imaging guidance, was complicated by large hemoperitoneum and clinical instability. Prompt identification of IEA injury followed by immediate intervention with coil embolization led to a successful outcome for this patient in the setting of a life-threatening uncommon complication of such procedure. The details of the diagnostic evaluation and management are outlined.