Dural arteriovenous malformation offers many problems with regard to its treatment. The most effective therapy is total extirpation. However, complete extirpation would be technically very difficult and may expose the patients to great hazard.
Ligation of the external carotid artery and/or occipital artery is not sufficient in most cases, because of multiple arterial tributaries.
Transcatheter artificial embolization by Gelfoam was attempted in two inoperable cases. Many materials have been used as therapeutic emboli. Though Gelfoam is reabsorbable and revascularization has been reported, it is the most popular material. It is easy to handle and to inject through a catheter. The results in both cases were satisfactory, and clinical symptoms disappeared.
Artificial embolization is very available and should be performed when surgical removal is not indicated, it is also utilized for presurgical devascularization and with radiotherapy.
