Usefulness of Oily Iodine Contrast Medium for Embolization of Meningioma

Abstract

Objective: Focusing on the effect of oily contrast medium as an embolic agent, we performed embolization of meningioma. Its usefulness is reported.Case Presentations: A flow guide catheter was advanced through the feeding blood vessel to the tumor as close as possible, and 1.0 mL–2.0 mL of undiluted oily contrast medium was injected. The contrast medium did not flow out, and it was retained in the tumor. The proximal portion was then embolized with 33%–40% N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA). On pathological examination of the excised specimen, the embolized blood vessel and tumor necrosis were noted, showing time-course progression of necrosis and softening.Conclusion: This method is superior in visibility and injection control because of the use of oily contrast medium. The flow guide microcatheter is easy to guide close to a tumor and insert into thin and tortuous blood vessels. So this is applicable for skull base tumors, showing its usefulness.