[Treatment of juvenile angiofibroma with particle embolization and endoscopic surgery]

Juvenile angiofibroma is a benign, rich vascular nasal tumor, and the biggest complication in surgery is the great loss of blood. Since 1997, Odense University Hospital (OUH) has used preoperative particle embolization and endoscopic surgery to combat this problem.

A retrospective review of the eight patients who have been treated since 1997 was done. The embolization, which was carried out in the radiotherapy department, was done with polyvinyl alcohol particles in the vessels that supply the tumor. The operation was then performed in the ear, nose and throat department of OUH. The tumor was removed endoscopically in all cases in which it was possible.

All eight patients were embolized preoperatively. The average preoperative bleeding was 375 ml, a little less when endoscopic access was possible. This is in agreement with the literature and may be considered to be satisfactory.

Endovascular embolization of juvenile angiofibromas followed by endoscopic surgery is considered to be the preferred treatment method today.