[Embolization and balloon occlusions in craniofacial vascular lesions: seven years' experience (author's transl)]

We review 258 cases of craniofacial vascular lesion treated by endovascular occlusion in the past 7 years in the Neuroradiology Departments of Nancy, Nantes, and Toulouse. Dural fistulas very often need both embolization and surgery. Craniofacial angiomas are not straightforward indications for therapy: the age of the patient, the unpredictability of evolution, and possible sequelae have to be taken into account; embolization is very successful in counteracting hemorrhage. Angiomatoses such as Rendu-Osler disease can respond well to repeated embolizations over several years. Lesions such as hemolymphangiomas are also excellent indications for embolization, either alone or with surgery. Occlusion by detachable balloon is ideally the most elegant method, but it is not always technically feasible, nor free from complications.