Single-Session Bilateral Genicular Artery Embolization for Knee Osteoarthritis via Brachial Access: A Case Report and Literature Review
<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Knee osteoarthritis (OA) significantly affects quality of life and poses substantial treatment challenges in patients with severe comorbidities that contraindicate total knee arthroplasty. Transarterial periarticular embolization (TAE) has developed as a minimally invasive alternative targeting pathological periarticular hypervascularity. Bilateral embolization in a single session has not yet been clearly documented. This case report describes the application of bilateral genicular artery embolization using bioresorbable gelatin microspheres. <b>Case report</b>: A 68-year-old male patient with severe bilateral knee OA and multiple cardiovascular comorbidities underwent simultaneous bilateral TAE using Nexsphere-F microspheres (100-300 µm). Embolization targeted hypervascular genicular branches identified through digital subtraction angiography preserving normal capsular and osseous perfusion. <b>Results</b>: At one-month follow-up, the patient's pain score decreased dramatically (VAS from 8/10 to 2/10), accompanied by marked functional improvement (WOMAC score: from 64 to 84; KOOS score: from 49 to 72). No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred and the patient required no analgesics post-procedure. <b>Conclusions</b>: Bilateral, same-session genicular artery embolization using bioresorbable gelatin microspheres provided short-term clinical benefits in a patient with advanced knee OA contraindicated for surgery.
Authors
- Octav Russu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5482-6866)
- Andrei Florin Bloj
- Tudor Sorin Pop (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3685-6358)
- Florin Bloj
- Andrei Marian Feier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1004-8839)
Institutions
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (RO)
- Clinical Emergency Hospital Bucharest (RO)
- Universitatea de Medicină, Farmacie, Științe și Tehnologie „George Emil Palade” din Târgu Mureș (RO)
- Spitalul Clinic Judetean Mures (RO)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Diagnostics
- Published
- 2025-08-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15172123
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.01