title: Preoperative embolization of solid cervicomedullary junction hemangioblastomas: report of two cases.
abstract: Solid cervicomedullary haemangioblastomas represent a small but technically challenging subset of posterior fossa haemangioblastomas because of their site, high vascularity and tendency to bleed. We present our experience with preoperative embolisation of two solid cervicomedullary haemangioblastomas. In both cases the main feeding artery was the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Arterial pedicles were catheterised with a microcatheter. The embolic material was small particles (150-250 microm) of polyvinyl alcohol. The result was almost complete preoperative obliteration of the vessels of the tumours. The procedure was well tolerated and facilitated easier bloodless, successful resection in both cases, 24 h after embolisation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vázquez-Añón
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Botella
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beltrán
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Solera
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piquer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D018325:Hemangioblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011859:Radiography; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006623:von Hippel-Lindau Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol