Abstract:

Objective

To explore the clinical value of transcatheter arterial embolization for cephalocervical hypervascular tumors.

Methods

A total of 76 cases with cephalocervical hypervascular tumors were analyzed.The meningioma was in 29 cases，the fibrohemangioma in 35 cases，the glomus jugulare tumor in 8 cases，the carotid body tumor in 3 cases.All the patients underwent surgery after embolization within 3—5 days.The embolic feeding artery were from external carotid artery.Gelatin sponge particle and PVA particle（diameter 300—500 µm）as the embolic agents.

Results

The feeding vessels of 90% cases were embolized completely and 10% cases were decreased obviously. Obvious shrink of the treated lesions was observed， and blood loss and transfusion volume during the surgery were remarkably reduced.The average blood transfusion was less than 900 ml during surgery， and the average operation time was 3.5 h. There was no serious complications after embolism，local headache in 11 cases and fever in 7 cases were relieved after symptomatic treatment.One patient with partial necrosis of the scalp was cured by skin flap transplantation.

Conclusions

The preoperative embolization for cephalocervical hypervascular tumors could reduce the bleeding during surgery，shorten operation time，and ensure the tumors to be cut completely.It could be adjunctive therapy.

Key words: Hypervascular neoplasms, Head and neck neoplasms, Embolization,therapeutic