Intravascular Mass Embolization
Application of embolic material to tumors or vascular lesions via blood vessels
What is This Treatment?
A procedure in which embolic agents (particles, coils, liquid embolics) are injected through a catheter into the feeding vessels of tumors or vascular malformations to cut off blood supply. It can be performed as preoperative tumor embolization or definitive treatment.
Benefits
- Reduces tumor vascularity before surgery to control intraoperative bleeding
- Can be curative treatment alone for certain lesions
- Performed using minimally invasive methods
- Offers treatment options for surgically inaccessible lesions
Treatment Process
A catheter is placed through the femoral artery and advanced to the target vessel under fluoroscopy. The lesion is mapped with angiography. Embolic agent is injected in a controlled manner.
When is it used?
- Preoperative embolization of vascular tumors
- Treatment of AVMs and dural fistulas
- Emergency embolization for uncontrollable bleeding
- Hypervascular tumors such as meningiomas and paragangliomas
Recovery and planning
Post-procedure monitoring in the ICU, groin compression, and bed rest are required. Post-embolization syndrome (fever, pain) may occur.
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Brain Surgery
Surgical treatment of benign and malignant brain tumors, cerebrovascular diseases and hydrocephalus.
Spine Surgery
Treatment of lumbar and cervical disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, spinal cord tumors and scoliosis.
Pediatric Neurosurgery
Surgical treatment of brain and nervous system diseases in children with specialized approaches.
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Parkinson's, epilepsy, tremor and deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatments.
Pain Management
Chronic pain treatment, nerve blocks, RF thermocoagulation and epiduroscopy.
Peripheral Nerve Surgery
Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel and peripheral nerve injuries.
Meningioma (Brain Membrane Tumor)
The most common brain tumor originating from the brain membranes, usually benign
Glioblastoma (GBM)
Most common rapidly growing malignant brain tumor in adults
Astrocytoma
Tumor developing from brain glial cells
Oligodendroglioma
Slow-growing tumor developing from brain white matter
Ependymoma
Tumor developing from brain ventricle wall
Medulloblastoma
Most common malignant brain tumor in children
Brain Metastases
Most common brain tumor in adults - spread of cancer from elsewhere in the body to the brain
Primary CNS Lymphoma
Aggressive lymphoma type originating from the central nervous system
Hemangioblastoma
A benign, highly vascular brain and spinal cord tumor
Pilocytic Astrocytoma
The most common benign brain tumor in children
Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG)
A rapidly progressive brain tumor that develops in midline structures of the brain in children, particularly in the brainstem.
ATRT (Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor)
A rare and rapidly progressive brain tumor seen in infants and young children.
Esthesioneuroblastoma (Olfactory Nerve Tumor)
A rare tumor arising from olfactory nerve cells in the upper nasal cavity.
Pineal Region Tumors
Rare tumors that develop in and around the pineal gland located deep in the brain, and can be of different types.
References
Verified neurosurgery and spine surgery reference textbooks supporting the medical framework of this treatment.
- Greenberg MS. Greenberg’s Handbook of Neurosurgery. 10th ed. Thieme; 2023:1509.
- Winn HR, ed. Youmans Neurological Surgery. 6th ed. Saunders; 2011.
- Quiñones-Hinojosa A, ed. Schmidek and Sweet: Operative Neurosurgical Techniques: Indications, Methods and Results. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2021.
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