# A Case of Chronic Expanding Hematoma in the Thoracic Cavity Treated with Transcatheter Arterial Embolization

## TL;DR

An 80-year-old man with a rare chest condition was successfully treated with a minimally invasive procedure instead of surgery.

## Contribution

This case shows transcatheter arterial embolization using specific microspheres is a safe alternative for treating chronic expanding hematoma.

## Key findings

- Hemoptysis resolved after transcatheter arterial embolization using tris-acryl microspheres.
- Follow-up imaging confirmed hematoma shrinkage with no recurrence over two years.

## Abstract

Chronic expanding hematoma (CEH) is a rare late complication of thoracic trauma or surgery, and favorable outcomes with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) have rarely been reported. An 80-year-old male presented with recurrent hemoptysis and was diagnosed with intrathoracic CEH. Owing to advanced age and high surgical risk, TAE was performed via bronchial, intercostal, and inferior phrenic arteries using tris-acryl microspheres (700–900 μm) and gelatin sponge. Hemoptysis resolved, and follow-up imaging showed hematoma shrinkage without recurrence for 2 years. This case demonstrates TAE with 700–900 μm microspheres as a safe, minimally invasive alternative to surgery for CEH.