External Carotid Embolization Research Articles

Angiographic Features of Meningiomas Predicting Extent of Preoperative Embolization.

Preoperative embolization is used as an endovascular adjunct to surgical resection of meningiomas. However, there is no standardized system to assess the efficacy or extent of embolization during the embolization procedure. We sought to establish a purely angiographic grading system to facilitate consistent reporting of the outcome of meningioma embolization and to characterize the anatomic and other features of meningiomas that predict the degree of devascularization achieved through preoperative embolization. We identified patients with meningiomas who underwent preoperative cerebral angiography and subsequent resection between 2015 and 2021. Demographic, clinical, and imaging data were collected in a research registry. We defined an angiographic devascularization grading scale as follows: grade 0 for no embolization, 1 for partial embolization, 2 for majority embolization, 3 for complete external carotid artery embolization, and 4 for complete embolization. Eighty consecutive patients were included, 60 of whom underwent preoperative tumor embolization (20 underwent angiography with an intention to treat but ultimately not embolization). Embolized tumors were larger (59.0 vs 35.9 cc; P = .03). Gross total resection, length of stay, and complication rates did not differ among groups. The distribution of arterial feeders differed significantly across tumors in a location-specific manner. Both the tumor location and the identity of arterial feeders were predictive of the extent of embolization. Anterior midline meningiomas were associated with internal carotid (ophthalmic, ethmoidal) supply and lower devascularization grades (P = .03). Tumors fed by meningeal feeders (convexity, falcine, lateral sphenoid wing) were associated with higher devascularization grades (P < .01). The procedural complication rate for tumor embolization was 2.5%. Angiographic outcomes can be graded to indicate the extent of tumor embolization. This system may facilitate consistency of reported angiographic results. In addition, arterial feeders vary in a manner predicted by tumor location, and these patterns correlate with typical degrees of devascularization achieved in those tumor locations.

Perioperative management of pediatric patients undergoing juvenile angiofibroma resection. A case series and educational review highlighting patient blood management.

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas are one of the most enigmatic, bloody tumors encountered by otorhinolarygnologists, head and neck surgeons, neurosurgeons, and anesthesiologists. Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas are rare, benign, highly vascular tumors with a propensity towards aggressive local invasion. Surgery, open or endoscopic, to remove the growth is the primary treatment of choice for Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas. Historically, surgical resection was associated with massive, rapid blood loss, traditionally managed by blood product transfusion and deliberate hypotension. Preventative management employing multimodal blood conservation strategies should be an essential standard of perioperative care for patients with Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas. We describe a contemporary and comprehensive approach in the management of patients with high grade Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas. This includes surgical strategies such as preemptive external carotid artery embolization, endoscopic surgical approach, and staged operations, as well as anesthetic strategies including antifibrinolytic therapy and acute normovolemic hemodilution. These surgeries, once synonymous with massive transfusion, may potentially be performed without allogeneic blood transfusion, or deliberate hypotension. Using a case series, the authors introduce a contemporary approach to multimodal, multidisciplinary blood conservation strategies for Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas surgery. Here in the authors report on an updated contemporary perioperative clinical approach to patients with Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas. From an anesthetic perspective, we describe the successful use of normal hemodynamic goals, restrictive transfusion strategy, antifibrinolytic therapy, autologous normovolemic hemodilution, and early extubation in the care of three adolescent males with highly invasive tumors. We demonstrate that new surgical and anesthetic strategies have yielded a significant decrease in intraoperative blood loss and eliminated the need for transfusion of autologous red blood cells, which enable improved outcomes. The perioperative approach to elective surgery for Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas management is presented from a multidisciplinary patient blood management perspective.

Paragangliomas of Nasal Cavity: A Case Report

Paraganglioma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor. Nasal localization is very rare. Head and neck paragangliomas represent only 0.6% of head and neck tumors and 3% of all paragangliomas. The treatment is based on surgery. Radiotherapy is indicated if the surgery does not provide complete resection. We report the case of a 36-year-old patient who has had left nasal obstruction with epistaxis for 2 years. The CT scan shows a solid mass centered on the left nasal cavity, puffy, without signs of aggression, benign-looking. The patient underwent a complete endoscopic endonasal tumor removal after preoperative external carotid embolization. Pathological analysis with immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of paraganglioma. The follow-up to the treatment was favorable.

Abstract WP24: Utility of the Sheath Guide Specifically Designed for Transbrachial Approach in Endovascular Treatment of Neurovascular Diseases

Background and purpose: Transfemoral approach has been a common technique in endovascular treatment (ET) of neurovascular diseases. When aortic or peripheral arterial conditions limit transfemoral approach, transbrachial approach is attempted as the alternative. The purpose of our study was to report the utility of novel sheath guide specifically designed for transbrachial approach in ET for carotid or cerebral vascular pathology. Methods: Included in our analysis were patients who underwent transbrachial ET with the sheath guide for transbrachial approach between 2011 and 2014. The sheath guide has a 6Fr (2.24 mm, 0.088 inch) internal diameter (ID) with 90 cm in length, a soft distal part and a particular distal shape like a modified Simmons catheter. The MSK-guide 7.5 has 7.5 cm of the distal part in length for the common carotid artery and the MSK-guide 15 has 15.0 cm of the distal part in length for the internal carotid artery. Carotid artery stenting and external carotid artery embolization were performed with the MSK-guide 7.5, and ET for intracranial lesions with MSK-guide 15. Results: Two hundred and seventy patients underwent transbrachial ET with the particular sheath guide. The procedures included treatment of 143 extracranial carotid stenosis, 31 intracranial carotid stenosis, 50 intracranial aneurysms, 25 AVMs/DAVFs and 21 acute ischemic strokes. Transbrachial carotid cannulation was easy and successful in every case except for one case (0.4%) with brachial artery spasm. After transbrachial carotid cannulation of MSK-guide, procedures were performed easily through the sheath guide in every case. On sheath-related periprocedural complications, 2 pseudoaneurysms (0.7%) and brachial artery occlusions (0.7%) occurred after ET or a follow-up period, respectively. Conclusion: The sheath guide specifically designed for transbrachial approach provided a favorable impact upon ET of neurovascular diseases.

Preoperative angiography and external carotid artery embolization of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas in a tertiary referral paediatric centre

To evaluate the relationship between intraoperative blood loss and juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) vascular supply and tumour stage in patients who underwent superselective external carotid artery (ECA) embolization. This series is unique in that all embolizations were performed by dedicated paediatric interventional radiologists at a tertiary referral paediatric centre. Seventeen male patients treated from January 2002 to August 2009 underwent preoperative angiography and embolization using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles. Tumours were graded using three different staging systems based on preoperative imaging and correlated to surgical blood loss. All patients underwent bilateral internal and external carotid angiography, with embolization of ECA tumour supply via microcatheter delivery of PVA particles. Particle size ranged from 150-500μm with a mean size of 250-355μm. Surgical resection was performed with either endoscopic or open techniques within 24h and intraoperative blood loss was reported. Seven lesions were supplied strictly by the ECA circulation and had mean surgical blood loss of 336ml. Twelve lesions had both ECA and internal carotid artery (ICA) supply and had mean surgical blood loss of 842ml. The difference in blood loss in these two groups was statistically significant (p=0.03). There was no case of inadvertent intracranial or ophthalmic embolization. There were statistically significant correlations between estimated surgical blood loss and the Andrews (p=0.008), Radkowski (p=0.015), and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC; p=0.015) preoperative tumour staging systems, respectively. Preoperative embolization of JNA tumours can be safely performed without neurological complications. The present study identified a statistically significant difference in intraoperative blood loss between those lesions with a purely ECA vascular supply and a combination of ECA and ICA vascular supply. Angiography is helpful in delineating ICA supply and can help guide surgical planning.

Superficial Temporal Artery Pseudoaneurysm

A rare case of superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to mandibular condylar fracture is presented. A 21-year-old man referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery with limited mouth opening and left preauricular swelling for more than 40 days after a traffic accident injury. He had received mandibulomaxillary fixation in the emergency department. Computed tomography showed left mandibular condylar fracture, and digital subtraction angiography confirmed left superficial temporal artery pseudoaneurysm. Endovascular embolization of the left external carotid artery was performed, followed by excision of the traumatic pseudoaneurysm and open reduction internal fixation of the left condylar fracture. Six months after treatment, the patient can open his mouth to approximately 35 mm and showed no swelling in the left preauricular region.

Standardization of Reporting Post-Tonsillectomy Bleeding

Postoperative bleeding is a well-recognized complication after tonsillectomy. We believe significant variation exists in how bleeding following tonsillectomy is reported and that a standardized system is needed. Our goal was to develop such a system. Relevant literature was found on Ovid Medline. Studies published from 1996 to 2009 involving post-tonsillectomy bleeding were analyzed, and data were collected on the basis of strict criteria. A standardized system for reporting post-tonsillectomy bleeding was then developed. A review of the literature found variation in the reporting of post-tonsillectomy bleeding and found that categorization systems for reporting bleeding are often not used. The following standardization system is proposed. Type I is bleeding, historical or observed, that does not require any intervention or control of the bleeding (except for oral rinses or intravenous administration of fluids). Type II is bleeding that requires control with local measures under topical or local anesthesia. Type III is bleeding that requires control with local measures, suture ligation, and/or aggressive cauterization in the operating room. Type IV is bleeding that requires control that includes external carotid artery ligation or embolization. Type V is bleeding that leads to the patient's death. The postoperative day on which the bleeding occurs is also reported. The literature on tonsillectomy varies greatly in describing and reporting post-tonsillectomy bleeding. We propose a system to standardize the reporting of post-tonsillectomy bleeding.

A Critical Review of the Literature and an Evidence-Based Approach for Life-Threatening Hemorrhage in Maxillofacial Surgery

Life-threatening facial hemorrhage in Maxillofacial Surgery (MFS) has an approximate incidence of 1% in the trauma patient and in elective surgery. The treatment of acute life-threatening hemorrhage in MFS to prevent hypovolemic shock or airway obstruction forms the basis of emergency care and necessitates the need for further analysis given the multitude of options proposed for treatment. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to formulate an evidence-based approach to the treatment of life-threatening hemorrhage in MFS. A comprehensive search of journal articles was performed using PubMed and Ovid databases. Keywords and phrases used were "life threatening facial hemorrhage," "life threatening facial bleeding," "external carotid artery ligation," and "external carotid artery embolization." Our search yielded 1441 articles. In an attempt to focus on hemorrhage exclusively from traumatic and operative events, articles that cited hematological disorders as the underlying cause of bleeding were excluded from the study. There were 40 articles which met the full inclusion criteria and form the basis of this systematic review. The articles were rated based on the level of evidence. There was 1 Level II, 21 Level III, 12 Level IV, and 6 Level V papers. Seven Level III evidence-based studies noted a high association between midface injuries, particularly Lefort III fractures and massive oronasal hemorrhage. One Level II study, 8 Level III studies, and 3 Level IV studies concluded that the internal maxillary artery was most frequently associated with intractable posttraumatic hemorrhage. One Level II, 16 Level III, 3 Level IV, and 3 Level V articles cited anterior and posterior nasal packing and conservative measures as the first attempt to manage traumatic hemorrhage. Subsequently, 8 Level III studies re-enforced the importance of temporary reduction of facial fractures as an effective means to control massive hemorrhage early in the algorithm. Seven Level III studies, 4 Level IV, and 2 Level V studies documented the importance of ligation of arteries as one of the absolute measures to manage facial hemorrhage, whereas 1 Level II, 14 Level III, 2 Level IV, and 3 Level V studies alluded to embolization as the most reliable technique for control of the hemorrhage. In orthognathic surgery, the internal maxillary artery was most frequently the source of massive hemorrhage according to 2 Level III, 4 Level IV, and 1 Level V studies. Two Level III, 5 Level IV, and 1 Level V study proposed packing as the first attempt to tamponade the hemorrhage. Two Level IV and 1 Level V study cited pseudoaneurysm as a potentially life-threatening vascular complication after elective surgery. Management of facial hemorrhage should be performed in a sequential and consistent manner to optimize outcome. An evidence-based algorithm for posttraumatic and elective life-threatening hemorrhage in MFS based on this critical review of the literature is presented and discussed.

Epistaxis in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia treated with selective arterial embolization

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare systemic fibrovascular dysplasia also known as Rendu-Osler-Weber disease. Epistaxis is often the first and foremost symptom of the disease and recurrent epistaxis is the main complaint. Evaluation of effectiveness and safety of endovascular treatment of epistaxis in HHT patients. Between June 2004 and January 2008, 14 patients with HHT underwent embolization of external carotid artery (ECA) branches due to severe epistaxis. There were eight men and six women aged 27-42 years. Patients were referred for endovascular treatment when primary management with electrocautery and nasal packing was ineffective. Arteries suspected of bleeding were catheterized super-selectively with micro-catheters to perform embolization. Polyvinyl alcohol particles (PVA) or embospheres in diameter of 500-700-µm were used as an embolic material. Embolization was technically successful in 11 (78.5%) patients. Immediate, complete control of bleeding was achieved in 12 (85%) patients. During long-term follow-up recurrent nasal bleeding occurred in six (43%) patients 6-24 months after treatment. There were no severe complications after embolization. Nine patients experienced mild facial pain which resolved within three days after the treatment. Three patients in whom arterial spasm was observed, suffered from facial paraesthesia lasting for 3-5 days after embolization. Out of 14 patients, 12 were available for 24-month follow-up evaluation. All except one claimed reduction in frequency and severity of epistaxis which had a positive impact on their quality of life. Endovascular embolization of epistaxis in patients with HHT is an effective and safe procedure although it cannot provide a long-term cure in most cases. Embolization reduces the frequency, severity and duration of nasal bleeding in patients with HHT, improving patients' quality of life.

Preoperative Embolization of the External Carotid Artery Branches as an Adjunct to Superficial Temporal Artery–to–Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass

When technically feasible, the preferred revascularization procedure in patients with adult moyamoya disease is a superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass. The caliber of the STA has been reported as a prognostic factor for a successful bypass, with smaller-caliber STA being more likely to fail. We describe a novel approach to this circumstance in which preoperative embolization of external carotid artery (ECA) branches is used to augment blood flow through a small STA as a prelude to bypass surgery. We report 2 cases: a 42-year-old female presenting with symptomatic ischemic and radiographically progressive moyamoya disease and a 23-year-old female presenting with advanced moyamoya disease secondary to diabetes. Preoperative angiography demonstrated small-caliber STAs in each case, and primary revascularization was deemed difficult. Preoperative ECA embolization was undertaken to shunt blood toward the STA, thereby increasing its flow and caliber. In both cases, angiography after embolization demonstrated a 20%-45% increase in STA size, and doppler ultrasound indicated a 14%-50% increase in flow. Subsequently, both patients underwent successful STA-MCA bypass combined with encephalomyosynangiosis without complications. Of 167 STA-MCA bypasses performed by the senior author, embolization was performed in 7 unique patients on 9 sides. ECA embolization may be a beneficial adjunct when considering a direct bypass in the setting of a small STA. It can increase blood flow through the STA, making the operation technically easier and enhancing the patency of the bypass.

Proximal external carotid artery embolization as a damage control resuscitation technique for combined severe traumatic brain injury with uncontrolled oronasal haemorrhage and severe pelvic fracture in haemorrhagic shock

calculated as heart rate/systolic blood pressure) was 1.5. The patient received nasal packing and initial fluid administration of 2 l of Ringer’s lactate, and subsequently recovered haemodynamically stable. The findings of focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) and chest X-ray were interpreted as normal. Pelvic X-ray showed the multiple pelvic fractures. Cranial computed tomography (CT) scan showed traumatic sabarachnoid haemorrhage, cerebral contusion and facial fractures. Enhanced CT scan from the chest, abdomen, and pelvis showed left pneumohaemothorax, left lung contusion, right renal injury and pelvic fractures with large haematoma that compressed the bladder with contrast medium extravasation. The injury severity score (ISS), which was based on the abbreviated injury scale (AIS) severity values and derived from the sum of the squares of the highest AIS values from each of three most severity injured body regions was 48. 10 The AIS was 4 for the head, 4 for the chest, and 4

Microvascular free‐tissue transfer for head and neck reconstruction in Jehovah's Witness patients

Jehovah's Witnesses' religious convictions disallow blood transfusion. Major surgery in these patients is therefore problematic. The objective of this study is to describe our experience with microvascular reconstruction of complex head and neck defects in Jehovah's Witness patients. This was a retrospective review of all Jehovah's Witnesses' patients undergoing head and neck free-flap reconstruction at a tertiary academic referral center from 1997 to 2006. Five Jehovah's Witnesses patients underwent a total of 7 free-flap reconstructions (6 radial, 1 rectus). Four flaps were immediate: 1 osteocutaneous radial forearm, 2 fasciocutaneous radial forearm, and 1 rectus abdominus myocutaneous. One fasciocutaneous radial forearm flap was staged. Two patients were planned secondary reconstructions, both facsciocutaneous radial forearm. Iron supplements and/or erythropoietin were administered perioperatively in 6 of the 7 microvascular reconstructions. Selective external carotid embolization was performed preoperatively in 1 patient. Hematocrit levels were 36% to 46% preoperatively and 30% to 41% postoperatively. Immediate postoperative hematocrit decline was 5.2% (3.0% to 6.0%). No transfusions or blood products were administered. Our case series supports the feasibility of head and neck free-flap reconstruction in these challenging patients.

TREATMENT OF PROFUSE EPISTAXIS IN PATIENTS IRRADIATED FOR NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA

Profuse epistaxis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) previously treated with radiotherapy (RT) can be life threatening. Surgical means to prevent rebleeding may at times be difficult and unsuccessful. We aim to investigate the characteristics of this group of patients and our experience of endovascular embolization technique in the management of epistaxis in this group of patients. A retrospective review of all nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients presented with profuse epistaxis during follow up after radiotherapy was carried out in a regional neurosurgical centre in Hong Kong. Seventeen patients were included for the analysis within the recent 6-year period. The age of patients was 55.5 +/- 8.358 years (mean +/- standard deviation). The sex ratio was 5:1 (M : F). Diagnostic catheter angiography was carried out in all 17 patients. Endovascular embolization was carried out in 11 patients with the joint decision of the otolaryngologist and neurointerventionist in charge . Four patients underwent main trunk occlusion for internal carotid pseudoaneurysm. Seven patients underwent embolization of branches of external carotid artery. One patient required another session of external carotid artery embolization 1 month later. There was one inpatient death because of pneumonia and hepatic encephalopathy. With our protocol, there were only two patients (11.7%) with delayed rebleed at 2 and 5 months, respectively. Both patients had advanced diseases and died. In irradiated patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma presenting with profuse epistaxis, angiography had a high yield of pseudoaneurysm or hypervascularity and these lesions could be safely managed through endovascular embolization.

Preparation and drug release characteristics of pingyangmycin-loaded dextran cross-linked gelatin microspheres for embolization therapy

Gelatin microspheres (GMs) containing Pingyangmycin hydrochloride were prepared for the interventional embolization by a double-phase emulsified thermal gelation method using oxidized dextran (ox-dex) as the cross-linking agent. The average diameter of the microspheres was 82 microm with 74% ranging from 50-200 microm. Drug content and the characteristics of drug release in vitro and in vivo were evaluated using UV-spectroscopy and HPLC, respectively. The prepared microspheres showed a rather high percentage of encapsulation ranging from 85 to 88% and drug content at 7.2%. The results of in vitro experiments showed that about 65.5% of the total amount of the encapsulated drug was released after 6 h at 37 degrees C. Experiments conducted through artery perfusion and artery embolization in rabbits revealed that the local drug concentration was significantly higher than the systemic blood-drug concentration, with a high level of local drug concentration maintained for more than 120 min after artery embolization with the Pingyangmycin-loaded ox-dex-GMs. The results indicated that the external carotid artery embolization with Pingyangmycin-loaded ox-dex-GMs at reduced dosages prolonged the local drug concentration at a higher level, and could achieve the purpose of a localized targeting tumor therapy. Compared with other embolization materials, ox-dex-GMs are an excellent alternative interventional embolization material for the treatment of head and neck tumors.

Preparation and drug release characteristics of pingyangmycin gelatin microspheres for embolization therapy

Objective: To prepare Pingyangmycin gelatin microspheres (PYM-GMS) for carotid artery embolization therapy and to study the release characteristics in vivo and in vitro. Methods: PYM-GMS was prepared by optical double-phase emulsified condensation polymerization. Through UV-spectrophotometer drug content and encapsulation rate were measured. The characteristics of drug release in vitro which could simulate the actual state in vivo were tested by HPLC. Three ways of vein drop, artery perfusion and artery embolization were contrasted. Under the supervision of X-ray, PYM-GMS were perfused into the external carotid artery of rabbits by superselective artery embolization. Blood samples were tested at different time and analyzed statistically. Results: The roundness of PYM-GMS was 1.02±0.005. The mean diameter was 85.6 µm, 78% of them ranging from 50–200 µm, which fitted the use of embolization. PYM content and encapsulation rate were 6.8% and 91.3% respectively. 70% of the drug was released in 3 h in the simulated environment in vivo and total drug was released after more than 6 h. After artery embolization with small dosage of PYM-GMS, the local drug concentration was 8 times higher than the blood drug concentration and the high level of local drug concentration was kept for more than 120 min. Conclusion: External carotid artery embolization with PYM-GMS, which significantly reduced the circulating drug level and employment dosage, could prolong the duration higher drug concentration and suit the purpose of targeted tumor therapy.

Arteriovenous fistula after temporomandibular joint arthroscopy treated with external carotid embolization

Arteriovenous fistula after temporomandibular joint arthroscopy treated with external carotid embolization

Ossified glomus jugulare tumour: case report

A huge, ossified and highly vascular glomus jugulare tumour in a 19-year-old boy was radically and successfully resected. External carotid artery embolization and intermittent internal carotid artery trapping during surgery were the principle methods employed to control the operative blood loss. Extensive petrous bone resection, and adequate and wide exposure were necessary. The case and the operative steps in this unusual and difficult surgical problem are discussed.

Lateral approach radical maxillectomy

The technical skill set of peripheral interventional radiologists is well-suited to the performance of most transcatheter embolization procedures in the external carotid artery (ECA). These procedures center in large part on hypervascular tumors, epistaxis, and trauma. ECA embolization in the trauma patient is well-defined, albeit in small patient series. The transcatheter treatment of epistaxis is still mostly reserved for cases that are intractable to conservative therapy. Preoperative embolotherapy for vascular tumors remains popular, although it is somewhat controversial in terms of its risk–benefit ratio. The purpose of this review is to highlight pertinent anatomy, selected technical procedural aspects, and the available literature to better characterize the role of ECA embolization in the hands of the practicing peripheral interventionist.

Follow-up MRI in dural arteriovenous malformations involving the cavernous sinus: emphasis on detection of venous thrombosis.

Six patients with a dural arteriovenous malformation (dural AVM) involving the cavernous sinus were followed up with magnetic resonance imaging in order to assess change in the lesions. Spin-echo (SE) imaging of three patients in whom the AVM appeared to have closed at least 1 month earlier (two of them spontaneously, and one after external carotid artery embolization) showed neither apparent flow void in the involved cavernous sinus nor evidence of venous thrombosis. SE images of the other three patients who had not been cured by external carotid artery embolization (two of whom were examined within a week of treatment), detected persisting arteriovenous shunts, including high-flow cortical venous drainage, seen as flow void. Two-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography (2D TOF MRA) was performed simultaneously in three patients. Whereas shunting blood and the normal cavernous sinus were of high intensity, presumed thrombosed cavernous sinuses were isointense with stationary brain tissue. SE imaging can confirm the resolution of arteriovenous shunts, but poorly delineates very acute and chronic thrombosis of the draining veins. In contrast, 2D TOF MRA directly demonstrates flowing blood, permitting the diagnosis of venous thrombosis; it should be included in follow-up of a dural AVM involving the cavernous sinus when venous thrombosis is suspected.

Strategies for Embolization of the Internal Carotid Artery for Cavernous Sinus Tumors

Skull base tumors, in addition to blood supply from the external carotid artery, frequently receive a portion of their blood supply from the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery, especially when the cavernous sinus is invaded by tumor. Preoperative embolization routinely includes obliteration of the supply to the tumor from the external carotid system. However, a variety of strategies are available that enable preoperative embolization of supply from the internal carotid artery as well. These include direct catheterization of cavernous branches of the internal carotid artery, temporary occlusion of the internal carotid artery during external carotid embolization, embolization of the internal carotid artery supply during temporary or permanent occlusion of the internal carotid artery, and internal carotid artery sacrifice. The angiographic anatomy in any particular case dictates these options.