Efficacy of endovascular intratumoral embolization for meningioma: assessment using dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion-weighted imaging

Comparison of outcomes with/without preoperative embolization for meningiomas with diluted N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate

BACKGROUND

Preoperative embolization for meningiomas is controversial regarding its effectiveness in reducing intraoperative blood loss and operative time. In contrast, some reports have documented improved surgical outcomes in large meningiomas. In this study, we retrospectively compared the outcomes of craniotomy for meningiomas with/without preoperative embolization with diluted N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) primarily in a single institution.

METHODS

Data (World Health Organization grade, Simpson grade, maximum tumor diameter, intraoperative bleeding, operative time, history of hypertension, and time from embolization to craniotomy) of patients with initial intracranial meningiomas were compared with or without preoperative embolization from January 2015 to April 2022.

RESULTS

The embolization group consisted of 56 patients and the nonembolization group included 76 patients. Diluted NBCA (13% concentration for all patients) was used in 51 of 56 patients (91.1%) who underwent transarterial embolization. Permanent neurological complications occurred in 2 (3.6%) patients. Intraoperative bleeding was significantly lower in the embolization group for a maximum tumor diameter ≥40 mm (155 vs. 305 ml, respectively, p < 0.01). In the nonembolization group, for a maximum tumor diameter ≥30 mm, patients with hypertension had more intraoperative bleeding than non-hypertensive ones.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite its limitations, the present results showed that, under certain conditions, preoperative embolization for intracranial meningiomas caused less intraoperative bleeding. The safety of treatment was comparable with that reported in the Japan Registry of NeuroEndovascular Therapy 3 (JR-NET3) with a complication rate of 3.7% for preoperative embolization of meningiomas, despite the treatment focused on the liquid embolization material.

Angiographic Evaluation of the Feeding Artery in Skull Base Meningioma

To identify the characteristics of feeding arteries in skull base meningioma including location and prevalence, we evaluated the distributions and types of feeding arteries in skull base meningioma by cerebral angiography and assessed relationships to tumor attachment. We enrolled patients with skull base meningioma who underwent MRI and cerebral digital subtraction angiography (DSA), from September 2015 to October 2022. Subjects comprised 115 patients (32 males, 83 females; mean age, 52.7) with 117 meningiomas, showing tumor attachments around the "cavernous sinus to the upper part of the clivus" (Area 1), "lower part of the clivus to foramen magnum" (Area 2), and "tentorium around the petrous bone" (Area 3). Frequent arteries, such as the dorsal meningeal artery (DMA), the ascending pharyngeal artery (APA), the tentorial artery (TA), and the petrosal branch (PB) of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) were analyzed in terms of their associations with tumor attachment to Areas 1-3. Meningiomas with the DMA as a feeding artery correlated with tumor attachment to Area 1 (p < 0.001). Meningiomas with the APA correlated with tumor attachment to Area 2 (p < 0.001). Meningiomas with the TA correlated with tumor attachment to Area 3 (p < 0.001). The PB correlated with Area 3 (p < 0.05). Our study founded that visualization of these arteries correlated well with specific areas. These arteries were also the main feeders in each type of skull base meningioma.