Massive hemothorax caused by intercostal artery bleeding: selective embolization may be an alternative to thoracotomy in selected patients.

Massive hemothorax is an indication for thoracotomy. We report a case of an 85-year-old debilitated patient, in whom massive hemorrhage from an actively bleeding intercostal artery was controlled by angiographic embolization. Angiographic embolization proved to be an effective alternative to thoracotomy in this patient, thus avoiding numerous postoperative complications and high mortality. Massive bleeding from an intercostal artery should be considered an indication for angiographic embolization in selected patients.