SIR Position Statement Addresses Interventional Radiology’s Role in Pediatric Trauma Care

April 15, 2024—The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) announced the publication of a new SIR position statement outlining best practice of image-guided endovascular interventions when treating children in emergency situations. This is the society’s first position statement to define the appropriate use of endovascular interventions for pediatric trauma.

The document, “Society of Interventional Radiology Position Statement on Endovascular Trauma Intervention in the Pediatric Population” by Aparna Annam, DO, et al, is available online in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. Dr. Annam, the statement’s principal author, is Director of Pediatric Interventional radiology at Children’s Hospital Colorado in Denver, Colorado.

The statement recommends a multidisciplinary approach to pediatric trauma care and provides tailored scenarios in which endovascular interventions should be considered. SIR stated that the document was written by a multidisciplinary group of pediatric trauma experts representing interventional radiology, emergency medicine, intensive care medicine, and surgery. The authors evaluated the current published literature to establish 15 recommendations covering traumatic injuries to the liver, spleen, kidneys, abdomen, pelvis, vascular system, and extremities. The position statement provides treatment protocols that include the appropriateness of nonoperative management and offers staffing and equipment guidance for endovascular treatments in the pediatric trauma patient population.

“By necessity, pediatric trauma is managed differently than adult trauma, and a multidisciplinary approach by a team with pediatric expertise is crucial to a successful outcome,” commented Dr. Annam in the SIR press release. “Interventional radiology plays an important role that is continually expanding as new technology develops. This new position statement will help trauma teams understand the appropriate role of endovascular interventions in treating children during an emergency.”

SIR President Robert J. Lewandowski, MD, added, “Interventional radiology is an integral part of the trauma care team. Our evidence-based position statement will ensure that even the youngest patients will have access to safe and appropriate minimally invasive image-guided treatments, speeding recovery and reducing the length of hospital stays.”

The position statement is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, American Pediatric Surgical Association, Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, Pediatric Trauma Society, Society for Pediatric Interventional Radiology, and the Society for Pediatric Radiology, noted SIR.