Nonopacification of Frontal and Parietal Branches After Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization: A Radiographic...

Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) has revolutionized the armamentarium for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) treatment. Technical and angiographic benchmarks to guide procedural and clinical success are less well established.

A single-center database was reviewed to compare outcomes after standalone MMAE with and without resultant residual angiographic opacification of frontal and parietal (F/P) branches. Primary outcome was surgical rescue for CSDH progression. Secondary outcomes included the efficiency and accumulated efficacy of hematoma resolution. Effect sizes were adjusted via multivariable regression.

Of 147 standalone MMAE for CSDH, the overall rate of surgical rescue was 6.8%. Nonopacification of F/P branches via proximal middle meningeal artery or meningo-ophthalmic anastomosis was achieved after 83% of procedures and was associated with a 7-fold decreased rate of surgical rescue (3.3% vs. 24%, P = 0.001). At 90-day follow-up, a higher rate of hematoma resolution ≥50% was achieved if no residual opacification was identified (82% vs. 56%, P = 0.03). The median time to 50% hematoma resolution was 44 days for the no-residual group versus 71 days for the residual group (P < 0.001). The unfavorable effects of residual opacification of F/P branches were verified in a multivariate analysis: a higher risk of surgical rescue (adjusted odds ratio 24.6; P = 0.001) and poor hematoma resolution were both confirmed (adjusted hazard ratio 0.3; P = 0.001).

MMAE with nonopacification of F/P branches was associated with augmented efficacy. Nuanced MMAE adequately tackling culprit dural feeders should be considered for more effective procedures.