[Emergency interventional embolization for the management of intractable tumor bleeding in head and neck cancer]

Objective: To evaluate emergency interventional embolization in treating intractable tumor bleeding in head and neck cancer. Methods: From February 2017 to February 2019, a total of 21 patients underwent emergency interventional embolization for the management of intractable tumor bleeding in head and neck cancer in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The tumor treatment history, bleeding history, angiography performance, technical success rate, clinical success rate and complications were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The positive rate of angiography was 100% (21/21). Selective angiogram revealing abnormal tumor staining in 11 cases, contrast media extravasation in 5 cases, pseudoaneurysm in 2 cases, arteriovenous malformation in 2 cases and external carotid artery rupture in 1 case. One patient with carotid rupture was transferred to a general hospital for treatment. The remaining 20 patients received a total of 22 times of interventional embolization. The technical success rate was 100% (22/22). Recurrence occurred in 4 patients within 30 days, and the clinical success rate was 80%(16/20). Mild maxillofacial pain occurred in 5 patients (25.0%) and no serious complications occurred. Conclusion: Emergency interventional embolization is safe and effective for the management of intractable tumor bleeding in head and neck cancer.