Selective embolization for head and neck vasculopathies.

Introduction: Selective, transarterial embolization of vascular lesions through angiographic catheters, which in superficial vasculopathies is often accompanied by intralesional local administration of sclerosing agents, has been used for more than 65 years. However, the reported experience with this therapeutic modality for head and neck lesions is rather limited.

Methods And Materials: In the current study we describe our experience with all 12 patients having major head and neck vasculature pathologies who were admitted and treated by selective embolization in our institution during a 5-year period.

Results: Eight patients had congenital malformations, and 4 had acquired lesions induced by trauma, irradiation, or anticoagulant therapy. Four cases were potentially life-threatening because of severe blood loss and were thus treated immediately. In only 3 cases was subsequent surgical resection of the lesion necessary. The therapy administered is reported, and its outcome is discussed in respect to the available updated literature.

Conclusions: The reported high rate of success with no complications may be the result of careful techniques and appropriate preoperative imaging, as well as the intraoperative and perioperative treatment with steroids and the multiple intralesional puncture sessions administered as necessary.