Abstract TMP120: Endovascular Balloon-Assisted Embolization of Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations Using Dual Lumen Co-Axial Balloon Microcatheters and Onyx: Initial Experience.

Abstract

Background: Ethylene Vinyl alcohol co-polymer (Onyx) is widely used for embolization of intracranial arteriovenous malformations. Traditional catheter based techniques for Onyx infiltration may be associated with reflux of Onyx resulting in cathteter retention, vessel rupture or reflux into en-passage arteries. Balloon assisted Onyx embolization may eliminate some of these problems encountered with traditional catheter based techniques. Herein, we report our initial experience in performing balloon assisted AVM embolization for brain AVMs and dural AVFs using the new Scepter-C and Scepter-XC co- axial dual lumen balloon microcatheters. Methods: Balloon-assisted trans-arterial embolization was carried out in a series of six patients (5 with brain AVMs, one with a dural AVF ) using Onyx delivered through the lumen of Scepter-C or Scepter XC co-axial balloon microcatheters. Following initial balloon-catheter navigation into a feeding artery as close to the nidus of the malformation as possible, and subsequent balloon inflation, embolization was performed using Onyx 18 or Onyx 34 or both. The balloon was delated and removed once adequate embolization had been achieved. Results: A total of ten embolization sessions were performed via fifteen arterial feeders in these five patients. In one out of fifteen vessels (7%), there was a quickly controlled arterial perforation from balloon inflation, in all others embolization goals for each session were successfully achieved with no adverse events. Conclusion: We found that the balloon microcatheters showed excellent navigability and there were no problems with retrieval or repeated inflation and deflation of the balloons. Using this technique, we were able to avoid the need for formation of a proximal Onyx plug and its associated risks. Additionally, fluoroscopy and procedural times seemed lower with this technique compared to conventional embolization methods.