Percutaneous embolization for cervicofacial neoplasms and hemorrhages.
OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively assess the effectiveness of percutaneous embolization for curative, preoperative or palliative management of hypervascular neoplasms, vascular malformations and bleedings of the head and neck area.


METHODS
A retrospective 8-year analysis of outcomes in 85 patients undergoing preoperative embolization for tumors or vascular lesions of the head and neck or embolization for refractory tumor bleeding and epistaxis at our hospitals was performed by reviewing case records. Outcome of the preoperatively embolized patients was defined as successful if intraoperative bleeding was <500 ml and/or postinterventional angiogram showed complete occlusion of all tumor-feeding or bleeding vessels.


RESULTS
Complete preoperative tumor embolization was achieved in 83.5% of the patients. Partial embolization was possible in 10.5%. All tumor bleedings refractory to conservative therapy and bleedings from epistaxis showed a successful outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
In vascular lesions and tumors of the head and neck, preoperative percutaneous embolization improved the surgical outcome, reduced intraoperative blood loss significantly and facilitated tumor resectability. Cervicofacial bleeding resulting from a tumor, vascular malformation or epistaxis can be managed effectively by endovascular techniques.
Zähringer
Markus
M
Department of Radiology, University of Cologne, Germany. markus.zaehringer@uni-koeln.de
Guntinas-Lichius
Orlando
O
Gossmann
Axel
A
Wustrow
Jochen
J
Krüger
Karsten
K
Lackner
Klaus
K
D000328:Adult; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies