Adrenal artery rupture is a rare cause of retroperitoneal hemorrhage. We describe 2 cases of spontaneous rupture of the adrenal artery successfully treated using endovascular coil embolization.
Case report: Two patients presented with sudden onset abdominal pain and hemodynamic compromise. In both the cases computed tomography (CT) showed a large retroperitoneal hemorrhage. Aortography confirmed bleeding from the right inferior adrenal artery in the first patient and the left inferior adrenal artery in the second patient. Both patients were treated with endovascular coil embolization. Subsequent CT scans demonstrated a reduction in the size of the retroperitoneal hematoma with no active bleeding.
Conclusion: Endovascular treatment of a ruptured adrenal artery is effective, safe, and permits organ preservation.