Coils versus gelatin particles with or without intraarterial antibiotics for partial splenic embolization: a comparative evaluation.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy, complications, and inflammatory levels in partial splenic embolization (PSE) with coils or gelatin sponge (GS) particles with or without intraarterial antibiotic agents.

Materials And Methods: Forty-four patients with hypersplenism treated by PSE were assessed. GS particles were used in 31 patients, and coils were used in 13 patients. In 17 of the 31 patients who received GS, GS suspended in antibiotic solution was injected via the splenic artery. In the other 14 patients, antibiotic agents were not used. In all 13 coil group patients, an antibiotic solution was intraarterially injected before embolization. Platelet counts were compared between the GS and coil groups. Complications and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were compared among the three groups.

Results: There were no significant differences in platelet counts and platelet increased ratios at 6 months (10.0 × 10(4)/µL and 193% in the GS group vs 9.0 × 10(4)/µL and 221% in the coil group), and no significant differences in frequencies of complications. However, one splenic abscess occurred in a patient treated with GS without antibiotics, resulting in death. The mean serum CRP level in the GS with antibiotic group at 2 weeks was significantly lower than in the other two groups.

Conclusions: The efficacy of PSE is similar with the use of coils versus GS particles. Prophylactic intraarterial antibiotic treatment could be useful in preventing inflammatory reactions after PSE.