Arterial embolization for traumatic hemobilia with hepato-portal fistula.

A case of blunt liver trauma complicated by delayed upper gastrointestinal bleeding, probably hemobilia, was successfully treated by intra-arterial embolization. Laparotomy with liver resection or hepatic artery ligation--procedures that carry a high morbidity and mortality in a critically ill patient--were avoided. Embolization techniques can be a valuable alternative to surgery in the management of hepatic trauma with delayed hemorrhage in selected, high-risk cases.