title: Intra-operative combustion of Onyx embolic material.
abstract: We report a case of dangerous combustion of Tantalum/Onyx embolic agent when exposed to mono-polar diathermy during subsequent surgical resection of a partially embolised arteriovenous malformation. Surgeons should be aware that previous embolisation of a vascular malformation may make use of diathermy problematic if subsequent surgical management is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Queen's Medical Centre, Derby Road, Nottingham, UK. sjsmith@doctors.net.uk
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Ashpole
mesh_terms: D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000601:surgery*; D002342:Carotid Artery, External / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D003972:Diathermy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005390:Fires; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000098:blood supply; D011145:Polyvinyls; D013635:Tantalum
chemical_list: D011145:Polyvinyls; C020320:ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer; D013635:Tantalum