Gelatine sponge particles: handling characteristics for endovascular use

Gelatin sponge particles have been used since the mid 1960's in interventional radiology. It had played an important role as a temporary occlusive agent in the past. Embolization has gained a widespread acceptance in interventional radiology leading to different innovative new agents. This review is aimed to underline the persistent role of Gelfoam along with a better understanding of handling techniques in light of what we have learned from other particles as PVA and Embospheres. The clinical impact of embolization with gelfoam will be also stressed and discussed.