Preoperative embolization of intracranial meningiomas: a 17-years single center experience

The purpose of the present report is to review the evolution of endovascular therapy at our center as utilized for the preoperative embolization of intracranial meningiomas over a 17-years period (1982-1998). This study is based upon a consecutive series of 63 patients who underwent preoperative embolization of intracranial meningiomas. Total or subtotal angiographic devascularization of the tumor parenchyma was accomplished in 38 patients (60.3%) who had tumors with either an external carotid artery supply only (n = 30) or with contributions from the cavernous carotid artery, ophthalmic artery, vertebral artery, or pial feeders which were feasible for selective embolization (n = 8). Partial tumor embolizations were attained in the remaining 25 patients (39.7%) because 1. the remanent feeders were considered easily accessible to surgical control in the early stages of dissection, 2. the feeding branches were inaccessible for a microcatheter approach, or 3. superselective microcatheter positions allowing for safe embolization without reflux of embolic material into physiological branches were not achieved. Overall, 97 of 126 tumor feeders identified angiographically were catheterized to selective embolization (77%). Three embolization related complications occurred early in our experience (1982-1989) using techniques which no longer meet standards of treatment. In light of the remarkable evolution of endovascular techniques over the 17-years study period, however, we conclude that preoperative embolization of intracranial meningiomas can be performed safely with the endovascular tools currently available.