Geniculate artery embolization in the management of spontaneous recurrent hemarthrosis of the knee: case series

J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2013 Mar;24(3):439-42. doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2012.11.011.

Abstract

Spontaneous recurrent hemarthrosis after knee arthroplasty is reported to occur in 0.3%-1% of patients, likely secondary to hypertrophic vascular synovium. Five patients who underwent previous arthroplasty presented with spontaneous hemarthrosis. Selective arterial embolization was performed with spherical embolic particles (diameter range, 100-700 μm). Angiography demonstrated synovial hypervascularity with geniculate artery "tumor blush" appearance in all patients. Average time to resolution of effusion was 2.6 weeks, with no recurrences reported during follow-up (mean, 25.4 mo; range, 16-48 mo). Two patients experienced transient cutaneous ischemia. Selective geniculate artery embolization with spherical embolic particles is an effective treatment for spontaneous recurrent hemarthrosis of the knee.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / adverse effects*
  • Embolization, Therapeutic / adverse effects
  • Embolization, Therapeutic / methods*
  • Female
  • Hemarthrosis / diagnosis
  • Hemarthrosis / etiology
  • Hemarthrosis / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Knee Joint / blood supply*
  • Knee Joint / surgery*
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography, Interventional
  • Recurrence
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome