Embolization
Embolization is an image-guided procedure that blocks a blood vessel on purpose to treat bleeding, fibroids, tumors, or other problems.
When to get help quickly: Embolization can be urgent when there is active bleeding after childbirth, trauma, surgery, coughing blood, vomiting blood, or another situation where rapid bleeding control matters.
Common symptoms
Embolization is usually considered because of symptoms such as heavy bleeding, coughing or vomiting blood, pelvic pressure from fibroids, pain from a bleeding vessel, or a tumor that needs blood supply reduced.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps doctors find the target vessel, understand the blood supply pattern, and guide the procedure precisely while avoiding nearby structures.
What radiology does
Interventional radiologists use fluoroscopy and contrast guidance to place tiny coils, particles, or other materials into the target vessel.
What usually happens next
Follow-up depends on the condition being treated, but embolization can reduce bleeding, shrink a target, or avoid more invasive surgery in some cases.
Need this done?
See which centers in Lagos offer it.
Related scan guides
- Bronchial Artery Embolization (BAE)Bronchial artery embolization can control significant coughing of blood by blocking culprit systemic arteries, but rebleeding and serious nontarget embolization remain possible.
- Embolization Procedures: An OverviewEmbolization is a procedure where an interventional radiologist intentionally blocks a specific blood vessel to stop bleeding or starve a tumor of its blood supply — all without open surgery.
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding EmbolizationGastrointestinal (GI) bleeding embolization is a potentially life-saving procedure used to stop active bleeding occurring inside your stomach or intestines.