Endovascular management of recurrent hemarthrosis of the knee: a case series

Geniculate Artery Endovascular Embolization Post-Total Knee Arthroplasty for Hemarthrosis Treatment: A Systematic Review of the Literature

PURPOSE

To provide an updated systematic review on the use of geniculate artery embolization (GAE) in the management of recurrent hemarthrosis post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted, and all clinical reports in the English language from inception to July 2022 were identified. References were manually reviewed to identify additional studies. Demographics, procedural techniques, post-procedural complications, and follow-up data were extracted and analyzed using STATA 14.1.

RESULTS

A total of 20 studies (9 case reports, 11 case series; n= 214) were included for review. In all cases, patients underwent coil embolization of one or more geniculate arteries. Procedure success was reported in 94.8% (n=203/214) of cases without perioperative adverse events. Improvement of symptoms was seen in 72.6% (n=119/164) of cases, with 30.7% (n=58/189) of cases requiring repeat embolization. Recurrent hemarthrosis occurred in 22.2% (n=22/99) of cases over a mean follow-up of 48 months.

CONCLUSION

GAE appears to be a safe and effective treatment for recurrent hemarthrosis following TKA. Future studies in the form of randomized controlled trials should be conducted to further evaluate such embolization techniques and compare outcomes between GAE and standard techniques.

CLINICAL IMPACT

Conservative management of post total knee arthroplasty (TKA) hemarthrosis is successful in only one third of cases. Geniculate artery embolization (GAE) has recently gained attention due to its minimally invasive nature compared to open or arthroscopic synovectomy promising faster rehabilitation, decreased infection rates and less additional surgeries. The purpose of this article was to summarize current literature, provide an updated review on the use of GAE in the management of recurrent hemarthrosis post-TKA and describe immediate and long-term outcomes in an effort to help optimize current treatment algorithms.

Musculoskeletal Embolotherapy

Painful articular musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are common, debilitating and sometimes difficult to treat. Transcatheter embolisation may offer an alternative way to manage the pain associated with these conditions, but the field is still in its infancy. To date, the most commonly studied indication is knee osteoarthritis, but the technique has been trailed in multiple other tissue beds, including for adhesive capsulitis and tendinopathies. Whilst early results appear promising, the existing studies are mostly open-labelled and non-randomised; there is a need for high-quality evidence to robustly assess the procedures efficacy. In this review, we set out to evaluate the current evidence underlying the pathophysiology and mechanism of action of embolisation; discuss the technical aspects of the procedure including embolic selection, and appraise the published clinical outcomes and adverse effects. Finally, we discuss the future directions and research priorities in this rapidly developing field.

Predictive Variables for Interventional Angiography among Patients with Knee Hemarthrosis

Studies regarding the variables that could predict the success of conservative treatment for knee hemarthrosis are lacking. This retrospective study evaluated the laboratory variables of patients who had unsatisfactory results from conservative treatment for knee hemarthrosis. Twenty-nine patients conservatively treated for knee hemarthrosis were included and divided into two groups: group A comprised 14 patients who underwent interventional angiography and selective embolization due to failed conservative treatment, and group B comprised 15 patients with successful results after conservative treatment. The results of the serological and synovial fluid tests were evaluated. The mean number of synovial red blood cells (RBCs) was 1,905,857 cells/µL and 7730 cells/µL in groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.01), while the mean number of RBCs per high-power field (HPF) was 68.9 and 3.2, respectively (p < 0.01). Patients who underwent interventional angiography and selective embolization after failed conservative treatment for knee hemarthrosis had higher synovial RBC counts and RBC counts per HPF than those with successful outcomes after conservative treatment. It is necessary to carefully interpret the results of the synovial fluid analysis in patients with knee hemarthrosis; if the synovial fluid analysis shows a synovial RBC count greater than 81,500 and RBC count per HPF greater than 16.3, we recommend immediate interventional angiography rather than continuing conservative treatment.

Recurrent Hemarthrosis Secondary to Erosive Patellofemoral Arthritis Treated with Arthroplasty: A Report of 3 Cases

CASE

Three patients presented with recurrent hemarthrosis secondary to erosive patellofemoral arthritis. Recurrent hemarthrosis from the eroded patellofemoral subchondral bone has not been well described. Each patient presented with symptoms secondary to painful effusions that were identified by aspiration. Each patient was successfully treated with patellofemoral or total knee arthroplasty.

CONCLUSION

Spontaneous or recurrent effusions in the setting of erosive patellofemoral arthritis should prompt orthopaedic surgeons to consider hemarthrosis as the cause of such effusions. Patellofemoral or total knee arthroplasty is effective in resolving the hemarthroses, resolving pain, and restoring function in these patients.