A singular case of massive urethrorrhagia solved by transarterial embolization

Abstract Background Urethrorrhagia is frequent in pelvic trauma, rarely due to traumatic injuries of internal pudendal artery branches. Case presentation Our aim is to underline the role of transarterial embolization in selected patients, as in this case in which a young man manifested urethral hemorrhage after high-energy motorcycle crash not associated with injuries of the inferior urinary tract. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) showed pubic symphysis diastasis and perineal hematoma with pseudoaneurysm into the penis bulb. The first approach was conservative with perineal external compression and intravenous injection of tranexamic acid. Afterward, due to the decline of clinical conditions, we decided to perform a selective angiography, confirming the vascular injury of distal branches of both internal pudendal arteries with contrast agent extravasation into urethral bulb; endovascular embolization was performed with detachable micro-coils. The principal results were seen quickly, indeed urethrorrhagia arrested and hemoglobin values normalized. Erectile function was preserved at 6-months follow-up. Conclusions Endovascular embolization proved to be a minimally invasive therapeutic approach, clinically effective, with a low rate of complications and high probability to preserve erectile function.