Brain tumors: complications of cerebral angiography accompanied by intraarterial chemotherapy

To evaluate the rate of complications associated with diagnostic cerebral angiography accompanied by intraarterial chemotherapy for the treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors.

Three hundred ninety-two consecutive transfemoral cerebral angiographic procedures accompanied by intraarterial chemotherapy were performed in 48 patients (28 men, 20 women), and complications were evaluated.

The most common local complications were groin hematomas, which occurred in 10 (2.6%) of the 392 procedures and none of which required therapy. Two carotid arterial dissections (0.5%) were reported in two patients who were asymptomatic and did not require further treatment. Both improved at follow-up examinations. Only one patient required surgery for a delayed popliteal embolus. Systemic transient complications occurred five times (1.3%). There were seven (1.8%) transient neurologic events, which were paresis and visual disturbances. Six (1.5%) transient seizure events were recorded. There were no permanent neurologic complications.

Intraarterial chemotherapy for brain tumors is a safe procedure with a low complication rate.