Stroke from delayed embolization of polymerized glue following percutaneous direct injection of a carotid body tumor

Preoperative Embolization Techniques in the Treatment of Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

Preoperative embolization has proven beneficial in the surgical treatment of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (JNA). However, the consensus for the best embolization practices remains unclear. This systematic review seeks to characterize the reporting of embolization protocols throughout the literature and to compare differences in surgical outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, and Scopus.

REVIEW METHODS

Studies investigating embolization in the treatment of JNA from 2002 to 2021 were selected from defined inclusion criteria. All studies underwent a 2-stage blinded screening, extraction, and appraisal process. Embolization material, time to surgery, and embolization route were compared. Embolization complications, surgical complications, and rate of recurrence were pooled.

RESULTS

Of 854 studies, 14 retrospective studies with 415 patients met the criteria for inclusion. A total of 354 patients underwent preoperative embolization. A total of 330 patients (93.2%) underwent transarterial embolization (TAE) and 24 patients had a combination of direct puncture embolization and TAE. Polyvinyl alcohol particles were the most used embolization material (n = 264, 80.0%). The most common reported time to surgery was 24 to 48 hours (n = 8, 57.1%). Pooled results showed an embolization complication proportion of 3.16% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96-6.60) (n = 354), a surgical complication proportion of 4.96% (95% CI: 1.90-9.37) (n = 415), and a recurrence proportion of 6.30% (95% CI: 3.01-10.69) (n = 415).

CONCLUSION

The current data on JNA embolization parameters and their effect on surgical outcomes remains too heterogenous to provide expert recommendations. Future studies should use uniform reporting to allow for more robust comparisons of embolization parameters, which, in turn, may lead to optimized patient outcomes.

Is intraoperative embolization with n-butyl cyanoacrylate an alternative option in carotid body tumors surgery? A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

The risk of intraoperative bleeding is relatively considerable because carotid body tumors (CBT) have rich vascular structures. Aim is to reduce intraoperative bleeding with preoperative embolization. We present a unique technique for the successful surgical removal of a challenging CBT using intraoperative direct percutaneous intratumoral n-butyl cyanoacrylate (n-BCA) embolization in a patient whose preoperative embolization failed and the operation could not be continued due to intraoperative bleeding.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 67-year-old female patient presented with 7 cm Shamblin class 3 CBT on her right neck. Due to the failure of the preoperative embolization, bleeding developed during the operation. In the case of Shamblin class 3 CBT, the primary concern was not the volume of bleeding, but the difficulty in seeing the dissection line due to hemorrhage. Intraoperative n-BCA straight embolization totally controlled the bleeding. The CBT was then readily removed.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Effective management of intraoperative hemorrhage is essential to ensure successful progression of surgical procedures of CBT. Hemorrhage causes complete disappearance of the dissection line, which is already difficult to detect due to adventitia invasion. It is clear that another method is needed when preoperative embolization or covered stenting fails. n-BCA has been used in the endovenous treatment of varicose veins for a long time, but to the best of our knowledge, there is no other case of its use in intraoperative CBT embolization.

CONCLUSION

Direct intraoperative embolization with n-BCA may be an alternative when other techniques are insufficient.

Embolectomy by SOLUMBRA Technique for Nontarget Intracranial Glue Migration- Complication and Bailout after Percutaneous Embolization of Orbital Meningioma

Presurgical devascularization of neoplasms of the head and neck can be achieved by endovascular as well as direct percutaneous embolization techniques. We report a case of percutaneous glue embolization of an orbital meningioma, complicated by delayed acute stroke due to the distal migration of polymerized glue in the left middle cerebral artery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to discuss the percutaneous embolization of orbital meningioma complicated by stroke due to intracranial glue migration.

Safety and technical efficacy of pre-operative embolization of head and neck paragangliomas: A 10-year mono-centric experience and systematic review

OBJECTIVES

To retrospectively evaluate the safety and technical success of pre-operative embolization (POE) of head and neck paragangliomas (HNP) in a single-center cohort over a 10-year period, and to benchmark our results with those derived from a systematic analysis of the available literature.

METHODS

All consecutive HNP embolized between November 2010 and April 2020 were included and reviewed. In total, there were 27 HNP in 27 patients [8 (30%) males; 19 (70%) females; mean age 53 ± 16 years; range 30-86]. Embolization technique, total procedure time, dose area product (DAP), complications, rate of HNP devascularization, and technical success (i.e. ≥80% devascularization of the HNP) were recorded and analyzed. A systematic analysis on the safety and technical success of POE was then conducted according to the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

RESULTS

Twenty-one (21/27; 78%) HNP were treated with an endovascular approach and 6/27 (22%) with a percutaneous or combined (endovascular/percutaneous) technique. Mean total procedure time and DAP were 108 ± 48 min (range 45-235) and 92.5 ± 61.3 Gy·cm² (range 19.9-276.0), respectively. Two (2/27; 7%) complications (one minor, one major) were observed. Mean HNP devascularization was 88 ± 15% (range 23-100) with technical success achieved in 24/27 (89%) HNP. Literature analysis revealed a pooled rate of complication and technical success of 3.8% (95% CI: 0.5-8.8%) and 79.0% (95% CI: 63.6-91.6%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

POE of HNP is safe and results in extensive devascularization in the majority of treated tumors.

Direct N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate injections to the head and neck for percutaneous embolized devascularization

Background:

N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) has been used for vascular malformations since the 1980s; however, few studies have looked at applications, procedural techniques, and outcome throughout many institutions. Herein, we review applications, procedural techniques, previous literature, and outcomes for the use of NBCA specifically through percutaneous technique in treating head and neck vascular pathology.

Methods:

An extensive literature review using PubMed database with published literature containing “N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate embolization,” was performed. No date restrictions were used. Cross-checking of articles was conducted to exclude duplicate articles. The articles were screened for their full text and English language availability. We finalized those articles pertaining to the topic.

Results:

The search yielded 1124 related articles. When comparing surgical resection to embolization with NBCA for cerebral AVMs, complications were similar in both groups and included hemorrhage (15%), residual AVM (6%), and cerebrospinal fluid leak (3%). Their mortality rate was 3% in both groups. Preoperative percutaneous embolization does show improved surgical outcomes.

Conclusion:

NBCA is a fast-acting liquid embolic material used in the treatment of a variety of vascular malformations and lesions of the head and neck. Investigations surrounding the use of NBCA injections as a new alternative embolic agent began in the 1980’s. Administration of NBCA has been shown to be useful in minimizing intraoperative blood loss and controlling acute hemorrhage. Performing percutaneous embolization with NBCA provides a successful alternative for surgeons when transcatheter embolization techniques may prove to be too difficult to perform. Embolization using NBCA will continue to play in integral role in the treatment of malignant lesions and vascular malformations. Continued research is warranted to improve safety, outcomes, and further develop clinical applications of NBCA.

A safer endovascular technique for pre-operative embolization of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: avoiding the pitfalls of external carotid artery - internal carotid artery anastomoses

Intra-arterial embolization of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) prior to surgical resection is the preferred approach to minimize blood loss during surgical resection of the tumor. However, the presence of external carotid artery–internal carotid artery (ECA-ICA) anastomoses may hinder complete tumor embolization due to the associated risk for embolic complications. Here, we evaluate the use of a balloon-assisted embolization (BAE) technique in the treatment of JNA. We conducted a retrospective review of JNA patients who underwent tumor embolization with injection of Onyx in a single session between 2013–2018. All cases displayed tumor arterial supply from ECA and ICA circulations on 2-D catheter angiograms. Procedural and surgical outcome data were analyzed. Results are given as mean±standard deviation (range). Among 9 patients with JNA, all were males and mean age was 14.1±6.3 years (range, 9–29 years). The mean tumor volume embolization was 84.4±12.4% (range, 60–100%) and in 89% patients ≥80% of tumor volume embolization was achieved. There were no embolization-related complications reported. During surgical resection of the tumor there was a low average surgical blood loss of 722±651.5 mL (range, 50–2,000 mL) and the mean procedure time was 282.6±85.4 mins (range, 151–403 mins). In this series, the BAE technique showed to be a safe and effective approach to achieve successful tumor embolization while avoiding embolic complications and effectively reducing the risk for blood loss during surgical resection.

Full recovery after non-target cerebral embolization of n-butyl-cyanoacrylate occurred during emergency treatment of a facial arteriovenous malformation

Background

Non-target embolization is a well-known complication of endovascular procedures for arteriovenous malformation. However, few reports have described non target encephalic embolization, detailing its temporal evolution.

Case presentation

A 41-year-old man presented with a massive hemorrhage in the oral cavity due to an arteriovenous malformation involving the left hemiface and tongue. Under conscious sedation, selective angiography was followed by endovascular embolization with a mixture of n-butyl-cyanoacrylate-methacryloxy-sulfolane (NBCA-MS) with Lipiodol. The hemorrhage was successfully arrested, but the procedure was complicated with a reflux of embolic material from the right external carotid artery into the common carotid, caused by strong unexpected coughing. Non-target embolization was confirmed by emergency CT and subsequent MRI. After initial neurological impairment, the patient recovered fully and was discharged after one week. No sequelae were confirmed by 9-months follow-up with CT and MRI. We describe technical aspects, multimodality imaging, clinical presentation, and follow-up of this peculiar case.

Conclusion

Endovascular embolization of AVM fed by the external carotid is at risk for non-target brain embolization and general anesthesia should be considered to prevent inadvertent movements and master the delivery of the embolic agent A small amount of Lipiodol / NBCA-MS may be fully tolerated by the brain matter and partially reabsorbed without permanent deficit.

Impact of preoperative transarterial embolization of carotid body tumor: A single center retrospective cohort experience

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of preoperative hyperselective transarterial embolization in carotid body tumor resection.

METHODS

Retrospectively analyze the clinical feature, imaging examination, treatment strategy and prognosis of 29 carotid body tumor patients from January 2006 to January 2016. According to whether to carry out the pre-operative transarterial embolization, the patients were classified into embolization group and non-embolization group. The blood loss, operative time and perioperative complications were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

29 carotid body tumors were resected. The median of blood loss was 80 mL in embolization group and 200 mL in non-embolization group, the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.001). The median of operative time was 120 min in embolization group and 160 min in non-embolization group, the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.006). No death, paralysis or ectopic embolism occurred in the study population. 4 patients in embolization group and 4 in non-embolization group suffered from cranial nerve injury.

CONCLUSION

Surgical resection of carotid body tumor is safe and reliable, which is the first choice in the treatment of carotid body tumor. Preoperative transaterial hyperselective embolization can significantly reduce blood loss and shorten operative time, but it dose not decrease the incidence of cranial never injury.

Delayed migration of Squid 18 following embolisation of a direct carotico-cavernous fistula

We report a case of delayed migration of Squid 18 following treatment of a direct carotico-cavernous fistula.

Case Report: Managing a giant, high-grade carotid body tumor in a resource-limited setting

Herein we report the management of a giant, high-grade and vascular carotid body tumor in a young woman. She presented with slowly progressive neck swelling. Vascular imaging revealed a left-sided, high-grade giant carotid body tumor (> 8cm).  The tumor was completely excised by caudocranial subadventitial dissection. Histology of the tumor revealed a characteristic Zellballen pattern of the lesion, suggestive of a paraganglioma. The patient made an uneventful recovery. We also discuss newer insights regarding the management of such highly vascular lesions.

Combined percutaneous and transarterial devascularisation of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma with protection of internal carotid artery: A modification of the technique

Juvenile nasal angiofibroma (JNA) is a hypervascularised, benign, but locally aggressive tumour that grows in the posterior, upper part of the nasal cavity and invades surrounding anatomical structures. The treatment of choice is surgical removal, but complete resection of the tumour can be hampered because of profuse perioperative bleeding. Preoperative embolisation of the tumour has been proposed as an effective method for prevention of perioperative bleeding, thereby shortening of the time of the operation. In this report of five cases, we describe successful preoperative devascularisation of the tumour by applying a modified method of direct intratumoural injection of the liquid embolic agent Onyx combined with protection of the internal carotid artery. The control of bleeding during the embolisation and occlusion of the maxillary or sphenopalatine artery was achieved by using a bi-luminal balloon catheter. Such use of the dual-lumen catheter in treatment of JNA has not been reported so far in the medical literature.

Guidelines for the use of NBCA in vascular embolization devised by the Committee of Practice Guidelines of the Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology (CGJSIR), 2012 edition

Cyanoacrylates are a group of fast-acting adhesives. They form low viscosity liquids in the monomer state and instantly polymerize to become adhesive upon contact with ionic substances. Since the 1950s, they have been used around the world for industrial and household purposes. N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) is a cyanoacrylate that is commonly used for medical care, and the closure of skin wounds with NBCA has been found to promote hemostasis. However, in Japan, the intravascular injection of NBCA is considered to be off-label use, except during the treatment of gastric varices under endoscopy. The use of NBCA in embolotherapy is considered when the target vessels cannot be cannulated superselectively, for vascular diseases that require long segments of the target vessel to be embolized, or for patients in a hypocoagulable state. NBCA-based embolotherapy can be used to treat vascular malformations, acute hemorrhaging, tumors, and venous disease. The complications associated with NBCA-based embolotherapy include tissue ischemia, hemorrhaging, systemic or local reactions, and catheter adhesion to blood vessels. NBCA is mixed with Lipiodol to make it radiopaque and to adjust its polymerization time. Since there are various technical aspects to performing NBCA-based embolotherapy safely, it should be carried out by, or with the assistance of, proficient interventional radiologists.

A comparison of particulate and onyx embolization in preoperative devascularization of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas

INTRODUCTION

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (JNAs) are hypervascular tumors that may benefit from preoperative devascularization to reduce intraoperative blood loss (IBL). The purpose of this study was to compare transarterial particulate embolization (TAPE) with the direct percutaneous embolization (DPE) technique using ethylene vinyl alcohol (Onyx, ev3, Irvine, CA) for the preoperative devascularization of a JNA.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 50 consecutive JNA resections since 1995 for which preoperative embolization was either transarterial with particulate material (n = 39) or DPE (n = 11) using only Onyx. The IBL, transfusion requirements, operative time, and length of hospital admission were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The mean IBL was 1,348.7 ± 932.2 mL particulate group, 569.1 ± 700.7 mL Onyx group (one-tailed Student's t test p = 0.003). The mean unit of packed red blood cells was 1.56 ± 2.01 units particulate group, 0.45 ± 1.04 units Onyx group (p = 0.009). The relationship between embolization type and IBL remained significant or strongly correlated when accounting for the Fisch stage of the tumor (p = 0.010 and p = 0.056, respectively, by a multivariate least squares fit; alternately p = 0.0003 and p = 0.023, respectively, in the subset of patients with Fisch stage III tumors only). We also found that the proportion of resections for which an endoscopic approach could be used was significantly higher in the Onyx group than the particulate group (81.8 and 18.2 %; Pearson p = 0.0002), and this was also significant both in our multivariate nominal logistic fit (p < 0.001) and in the subset of patients with Fisch stage III tumors (p = 0.018).

CONCLUSION

Pre-operative DPE with Onyx of a JNA when compared to TAPE significantly decreased IBL and RBC transfusion requirement during surgical resection. The proportion of surgical resections performed from an endoscopic approach was higher in the DPE Onyx group, which may have affected the results.

n-Butyl cyanoacrylate-induced multiple retinal arteriolar occlusions

We report a case of multiple retinal arteriolar occlusions due to delayed embolisation of N-butylcyanoacrylate glue, initially injected in the external carotid artery for the management of Carotid body tumour. Ocular massage and anterior chamber paracentesis were unfruitful and patient suffered irreversible visual loss in the affected eye. Embolisation of N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue into the retinal vasculature after intratumoral injection should be kept in mind as a rare but possible complication by radiologists and ophthalmologists.

Direct endoscopic intratumoral injection of Onyx for the preoperative embolization of a recurrent juvenile nasal angiofibroma

Percutaneous injection of embolization material within head and neck tumors is being described as an alternative or adjunct to transarterial embolization. Access in these reports is by computed tomography (CT) guidance, which is cumbersome given the need to transport the patient from the CT scanner to angiography suite. We describe a case of direct percutaneous onyx embolization of juvenile nasal angiofibroma following endoscopic access in the angiography suite including self-sustained onyx combustion during surgical electrocautery.

Usefulness of percutaneously injected ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer in conjunction with standard endovascular embolization techniques for preoperative devascularization of hypervascular head and neck tumors: technique, initial experience, and correlation with surgical observations

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Few reports have described the embolization of head and neck lesions by using direct percutaneous techniques. We report our preliminary experience in the direct percutaneous embolization of hypervascular head and neck tumors by using Onyx in conjunction with standard endovascular embolization techniques. We describe the technical aspects of the procedure and its efficacy in reducing intraoperative blood loss.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied 14 patients (3 females and 11 males; mean age, 33.4 years; range, 11-56 years) with 15 hypervascular tumors of the head and neck that underwent direct percutaneous embolization with Onyx in conjunction with particulate embolization. Nine paragangliomas and 6 JNAs underwent treatment. Documented blood loss was obtained from operative reports in these 15 patients with surgical resection performed 24-48 hours after the embolization.

RESULTS

Intratumoral penetration with progressive blood flow stasis was achieved during each injection. A mean of 3.1 needles (20-gauge, 3.5-inch spinal needle) were placed percutaneously into the lesion (range, 1-6). The mean intraoperative blood loss was 780 mL (range, <50-2200 mL). Near total angiographic devascularization was achieved in 13 of 15 tumors. There were no local complications or neurologic deficits from the percutaneous access or embolization of these hypervascular tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the use of percutaneous injected Onyx in conjunction with standard endovascular embolization techniques in patients with hypervascular head and neck tumors seemed to enhance the ability to devascularize these tumors before operative removal.

Percutaneous embolization of carotid paragangliomas using solely Onyx

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Paragangliomas are highly vascularized usually benign neoplasms arising from nerve tissue. Endovascular preoperative embolization is used to facilitate surgery but is often not complete, due to tiny feeding arteries not feasible for selective catheterization. Our purpose was to evaluate angiographic and clinical outcome using Onyx for percutaneous glomus tumor embolization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A consecutive series of 4 patients with 6 paragangliomas located at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery were treated with percutaneous embolization using Onyx as the sole embolic material.

RESULTS

Complete devascularization of the 6 paragangliomas was achieved using a percutaneous embolization technique with Onyx as a sole agent, combined with an endovascular microballoon that offered protection of the internal carotid artery.

CONCLUSIONS

Further documentation is necessary to prove the higher grade of devascularization of paragangliomas with Onyx compared with other embolic material and the associated potential to facilitate surgery. Nevertheless, Onyx seems to be safe when used percutaneously due to its lavalike pattern flow and its controllable properties, allowing slow tumor bed penetration.

Direct percutaneous embolization of a carotid body tumor with Onyx

Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare highly vascular lesions that frequently require preoperative embolization to minimize surgical morbidity secondary to blood loss. Embolization has typically been performed via a transarterial route. However, this frequently results in incomplete devascularization of the tumor due to the complex angioarchitecture of the feeding arteries. Direct intralesional embolization has been used to gain easier accesses to the tumor vasculature and thus increase the likelihood of complete embolization. Cyanoacrylate glue has been the most commonly used embolic agent. The authors present a case of CBT that underwent direct intralesional embolization using Onyx (ev3; ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer). To their knowledge, there have been no previous reports of direct percutaneous embolization of a CBT with this agent.