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Changes of brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAERs) in a brain stem ischemic model using embolization technique in cats, a preliminary study.

In order to evaluate brain stem dysfunction related to ischemic process, the authors monitored the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Responses (BAERs) with time in a brain stem ischemic model. 19 adult mongrel cats were divided into two groups: embolization (n = 14) and sham operated control (n = 5). Embolization was done by injecting cylindrical silicone embolus to the right vertebral artery. Each successful embolization of the basilar artery was then confirmed by vertebral angiography. BAERs were monitored before embolization and then 5-10 min, 15 min, 30 min, 60 min, 3 hr and 6 hr after embolization. The presence of ischemic lesion caused by embolization was confirmed by injecting 2% Evans blue solution 30 min before sacrificing the animals. Leakage of the dye was observed. In embolized animals, significant (Student t test, p less than 0.05) delay of interpeak latencies of waves 1-3, 3-5, and 1-5 was observed 15 min after embolization. This delay became more significant (p less than 0.01) 30 min after embolization. These results provide evidence for the usefulness of BAERs monitoring which can be used to complement other diagnostic methods for patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency and/or infarction.

Animals↗

Fasting hyperglycaemia following trans-catheter arterial chemo-embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Following a hyperosmolar diabetic coma in a cirrhotic patient with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization, we assessed the prevalence, severity, causes and prognostic impact of impaired glucose metabolism following transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization. METHODS: Plasma glucose, pancreatic and thyroid hormones, cortisol, growth hormone, ACTH and TSH concentrations were determined before and after transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization in 98 patients (70 with a normal fasting glucose, 7 with mild fasting hyperglycaemia and 21 diabetics) undergoing 226 transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization procedures. Child status, body temperature, serum ALT and amylase levels, tumour size, gelfoam embolization and disease aetiology were recorded. Liver function was assessed before and after transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization by measuring monoethylglycinexylidide formation after i.v. lidocaine. RESULTS: A significant rise in glucose levels (p < 0.0001) was observed in 30/98 patients. Hyperglycaemia was more frequent in diabetics (67%) and patients with mild fasting hyperglycaemia (71%). Glucose concentrations doubled in 12 patients; 4 required long-term insulin. Fever, a previously altered carbohydrate metabolism and raised ALT levels were prognostic factors for hyperglycaemia (p < 0.01). Plasma C-peptide, glucose/insulin and glucose/C-peptide ratios, were increased after transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization (p < 0.05). Transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization was followed by a reduction in the monoethylglycinexylidide formation capacity (p < 0.05), particularly in hyperglycaemia patients (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization is frequently followed by a derangement in glucose metabolism which is potentially severe, associated with preceding glucose imbalance, fever and a transient deterioration in liver function.

Adult↗

Pulmonary air embolization inhibits lung lymph flow by increasing lymphatic outflow pressure.

BACKGROUND: Air embolization of the pulmonary vascular tree increases pulmonary microvascular filtration and induces pulmonary edema formation. Flow from cannulated pulmonary lymphatic vessels increases significantly following air embolization. However, in the intact animal, lymph flows into the venous system and the magnitude of lymph flow is directly affected by systemic venous pressure. We hypothesized that pulmonary air embolization would lead to systemic venous hypertension and that this increase in lymphatic outflow pressure would prevent an increase in pulmonary lymph flow. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pulmonary air embolization was induced in dogs under general anesthesia. Flow from cannulated pulmonary lymphatic vessels was recorded for lymphatic outflow pressure set equal to atmospheric pressure (Q(LA)) and for outflow pressure set equal to systemic venous pressure (Q(LV)) both before and after embolization. Air embolization resulted in significant increases in systemic venous pressure from 6.4 +/- 0.3 to 12.4 +/- 1.2 mm Hg and in QLA from 48 +/- 9 to 175 +/- 29 microL . min(1). However, embolization did not increase Q(LV) (10 +/- 2 vs. 3 +/- 3 microl . min(1)). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary air embolization impedes pulmonary lymph flow by increasing systemic venous pressure and, thereby, contributes to pulmonary edema formation.

Animals↗

Pluronic F127: application in arterial embolization.

PURPOSE: Pluronic is a substance that is widely used in medical and pharmaceutical fields. In particular, 20% Pluronic F127 solution is a unique substance that is liquid at less than 15 degrees C and gelatinous at 25 to 60 degrees C. In this study, the authors took advantage of the gelation property of Pluronic F127 at human body temperature to simulate embolization and dissolution of the embolism in the renal artery and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) using a rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four female Japanese rabbits (weight, 2.5-3 kg each) were used. The renal artery was fitted with a 4-F cobra-type catheter and embolized with a 20% Pluronic F127 solution at a temperature of 20 degrees C. The embolic effect was evaluated by angiography immediately after the initial injection and every 15 minutes for 2.5 hours after embolization. After 24 hours, pathologic changes of the renal parenchyma were also evaluated. The embolic effect for SMA and ischemic changes of the intestine were evaluated in the same manner. RESULTS: Angiographic findings showed that Pluronic F127 caused embolization immediately after injection and dissolved in the renal artery and the SMA after 90 to 120 minutes. The pathologic findings showed no ischemic change in the renal parenchyma. Necrosis was not found in the intestine, but focal hemorrhagic changes were extensively present when the gel had dissolved. This suggested that Pluronic F127 dissolved before severe tissue damage could occur. CONCLUSION: Pluronic F127 can potentially be used as a temporary embolic material.

Angiography↗

Protective effect of lidocaine in acute cerebral ischemia induced by air embolism.

To investigate possible approaches to the prevention and treatment of neural damage induced by air embolism and other forms of acute cerebral ischemia, a model was used in which cerebral air embolism was produced by infusion of air (0.4 ml) into a vertebral artery of chloralose-anesthetized cats. Neurological function was assessed by measuring cortical somatosensory evoked responses in a group of 10 untreated animals and in a group of eight animals pretreated with intravenous lidocaine (5 mg/kg). In the untreated group, the primary somatosensory amplitude was reduced to 28% +/- 9% (mean +/- standard error) of the value before air embolism, with a return to 60% +/- 8% 1 hour and 73% +/- 12% 2 hours after embolism. In the group pretreated with lidocaine, the primary somatosensory amplitude was reduced to 68% +/- 9% of the value before air embolism, with a return to 92% +/- 3% 1 hour and 97 +/- 2% 2 hours after embolism. Pretreatment with lidocaine also greatly attenuated the acute hypertension and the increase in intracranial pressure following air embolism. These results demonstrate that pretreatment with intravenous lidocaine significantly reduces the neural decrement and increases the recovery of neural function after acute cerebral ischemia induced by air embolism.

Acute Disease↗

[Paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale. 4 cases].

Four cases of paradoxical embolism through a patent foramen ovale associated with massive pulmonary embolism are reported. In two cases, patency of the foramen ovale was demonstrated by a new technique: cross-sectional contrast echocardiography potentiated by coughing. The conventional surgical treatment included arterial embolectomy followed by insertion of a caval filter. Embolism recurred on three occasions under mechanical ventilation prior to insertion of the filter. A new sequence of investigations to facilitate detection of paradoxical embolism in patients with unexplained arterial embolism is suggested: (1) blood gas measurements, which reveal associated pulmonary embolism; (2) cough-potentiated cross-sectional contrast echocardiography, which demonstrates a patent foramen ovale and excludes emboligenic cardiopathies; (3) phlebography and pulmonary angiography which complete the diagnosis. To reduce the risk of recurrent embolism, it is recommended to begin treatment by blocking the vena cava without mechanical ventilation. This can be done by inserting a filter through the jugular vein under local anaesthesia. Arterial embolism can then be treated at lesser risk under mechanical ventilation.

Echocardiography↗

Cerebral embolism in cancer patients.

Sudden neurological deterioration suggesting embolism in a patient with a history of cancer should alert the physician to the possibility of a non-metastatic, and therefore potentially reversible, cause of cerebral embolism before cerebral metastasis is implicated. During a four year period, we have observed eight cases of acute cerebral embolism among 3000 cancer patients seen in a department of medical oncology. Five patients had features post mortem of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis, and in one, the diagnosis had been made antemortem, but treatment with heparin did not prevent further emboli. Two patients had radiation related carotid vascular disease, and one patient post lymphangiographic embolism. The literature reporting these uncommon causes of cerebral embolism is reviewed. Post-lymphangiographic embolism carries a uniformly good prognosis. In selected cases of post-irradiation cerebral embolism, surgical intervention may prevent a neurological catastrophe. Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis and mucin embolism are of uncertain aetiology and natural history; long-term survival is uncommon, and treatment does not appear to influence the clinical course or outcome.

Adult↗

Utility of embolization or chemoembolization as second-line treatment in patients with advanced or recurrent colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Second-line therapy of patients with colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver is unsatisfactory. One alternative to systemic treatment is therapy directed locoregionally. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with unresectable colorectal cancer with bulky liver metastases who had failed prior systemic therapy were randomized to treatment with either embolization or chemoembolization. For the embolization group, particulate transcatheter polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (150-250-microns particles) mixed with full-strength iodinated radiographic contrast was administered under direct fluoroscopic control. In patients randomized to chemoembolization, 5-fluorouracil (750 mg/m2) and recombinant alpha-2a-interferon (Roche Laboratories, Nutley, NJ) (9-MU) were thoroughly mixed into the PVA contrast suspension. Study end points were response to therapy and survival. RESULTS: Of 24 patients, 13 were randomized to chemoembolization and 11 to embolization therapy. All were assessable for toxicity, response, and complications. Among the first 13 patients treated initially, a suppurative abscess developed in one patient, who died. Eleven subsequent patients were pretreated with oral and intravenous antibiotics without further infectious complications. Five patients had hemorrhagic complications, two of which were serious. The treatment was otherwise well tolerated, with most patients experiencing transient pain, fevers, and elevations in leukocyte counts and liver enzymes, which resolved spontaneously. Computed tomography scans of the liver were used to assess patient response to therapy. There were 6 responders (25%) among the 24 patients treated. No differences in response to treatment or survival between the embolization and chemoembolization groups were noted. With a median follow-up of more than 12 months, the median survival was 9.3 months from the time of embolization therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Embolization and chemoembolization therapy appear to have antitumor activity as second-line therapy in patients with colorectal carcinoma with bulky liver metastases. Although generally well tolerated, complications of this therapy may be severe. The addition of further patients to this trial will allow a rigorous comparison of embolization alone versus embolization with chemotherapy.

Adult↗

Systemic embolism as a complication of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty.

Systemic embolism is a potential and severe complication of percutaneous mitral valve dilatation. In our series of 80 cases, the incidence of systemic embolism was 3.75% (3 cases). Two cases occurred during the procedure itself. The cause of embolism was different in each case: cruoric thrombus formation occurred in 2 cases during or after dilatation, and was attributable to inappropriate heparinization, and catheter and guidewire thrombogenicity. In both cases heparin administration was delayed or given at a lower dosage. In the third case, calcific embolism occurred several days after valve dilatation. We think that the embolic calcified fragment was detached from the mitral leaflet at the time of or after balloon inflation. In these 3 cases, intraatrial thrombus mobilization was not the mechanism of systemic embolism. In 2 cases, transesophageal echocardiography had been performed before dilatation and excluded the presence of an atrial thrombus the day before the procedure. It is concluded that, together with mobilisation of left atrial thrombi, which can be adequately detected by transesophageal echocardiography, catheter-induced thrombi represent a significant cause of embolic complications and must be prevented by giving full-dose heparin during the total duration of the procedure. Calcific embolism may also occur, and may become more frequent if mitral valve balloon dilatation is proposed to a larger number of patients with valvular and subvalvular calcifications.

Aged↗

Intravascular ultrasound identification of intraluminal embolic plaque material during carotid angioplasty with stenting.

INTRODUCTION: Carotid angioplasty with stenting (CAS) has evolved as a viable method for treating patients at high risk for carotid endarterectomy. Strokes complicating CAS are most commonly caused by the liberation and distal embolization of embolic material from plaque during the procedure. METHODS: CAS with distal embolic protection (DEP) was performed using the assistance of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in a 68-year-old man with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Evaluation of the plaque pretreatment was performed using virtual histology software. IVUS evaluation was also performed after prestent angioplasty, stenting, and poststent angioplasty. RESULTS: Initial degree of angiographic stenosis was 78.9%. Final degree of stenosis was 15.7%. By IVUS, stenosis by minimum lumen diameter and minimum lumen area were 75.6% and 93.4% pretreatment, respectively, and 42.2% and 47.1% posttreatment, respectively. An intraluminal lesion was noted in the distal aspect of the stent after poststent angioplasty but before DEP device removal. Ultrasonographic characteristics of the intraluminal defect were consistent with ruptured plaque material. Angiographic runs failed to demonstrate the lesion. A repeat IVUS run performed approximately 10 min later failed to depict the lesion, suggesting that distal embolization had occurred. Embolic material was noticed in the DEP device after removal. The patient did not experience any ischemic neurological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: IVUS can identify intraluminal plaque material, which may be a precursor for embolism and delayed ischemic events after CAS. IVUS may allow for treatment before distal embolization of plaque material. Virtual histology IVUS software may help to identify carotid lesions at higher risk for significant embolization during CAS.

Aged↗

Particle embolization of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Complete surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, most patients ultimately develop disease recurrence and the median survival from the time of recurrence is <1 year. The purpose of the current study was to review the authors' experience using bland hepatic arterial embolization to treat recurrent HCC after definitive surgical resection. METHODS: The authors reviewed their single-center hepatic embolization database from 1995 through 2004 to identify patients who underwent bland hepatic arterial embolization for disease recurrence. Data analyzed included patient demographics, Okuda stage and Child score, imaging findings, and embolization variables. Recurrence-free survival (from surgery to disease recurrence) and survival time (from recurrence to last follow-up) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The authors identified 45 patients treated with bland embolization for recurrent HCC after resection. Six patients also underwent ablative therapy after embolization. Of the 45 patients, 42 (93.3%) patients had Okuda Stage 1 disease. The median time to recurrence was 13 months. The median survival after embolization was 46 months, and actuarial survival rates at 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years after recurrence were 86%, 74%, and 47%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 31 months. Patients who developed disease recurrence with a solitary lesion had a significantly improved survival (P = .03) At the time of last follow-up, 3 patients (6.6%) were alive with no evidence of viable disease. CONCLUSIONS: Bland arterial embolization was found to be an effective method of salvage therapy for patients with good liver function with recurrent HCC after prior surgical resection. Patients whose disease recurred with a solitary lesion appear to have a significantly increased survival compared with patients who develop disease recurrence with multiple tumors. A small proportion of patients can be rendered without evidence of viable disease.

Adult↗

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: comparison of blood loss during removal in embolized group versus nonembolized group.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study was performed to assess the beneficial effect of preoperative embolization of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (JNA) in terms of blood loss during surgery. METHODS: Intraoperative blood loss in a group of 7 patients who underwent 10 procedures for JNA without preoperative embolization was compared with the blood loss of 13 patients who underwent 16 procedures after embolization of one or both external carotid arteries. RESULTS: Mean blood loss was 5380 ml in patients without embolization and 1037.5 ml in those with embolization. This difference was not statistically significant because of the high standard deviation in the nonembolized group. However, when data were analyzed by tumor stage, a significant difference was noted between the embolized and the nonembolized patients with high-grade tumors but not between those with low-grade tumors. CONCLUSION: Preoperative embolization of the branches of the external carotid appears to facilitate removal of high grade tumors. The benefit of embolization in those with low-grade tumors is less clear cut, probably because there is less vascularity in low-grade tumors and so removal is easier.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of transarterial embolization for lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter arterial embolization has been used as a therapeutic maneuver for lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The availability of highly selective arteriography has made this procedure safer and warrants re-evaluation. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was done of all patients undergoing arteriography for presumed lower gastrointestinal bleeding at two acute-care community hospitals. Causes of bleeding, clinical outcome, and complications caused by transcatheter arterial embolization were recorded. RESULTS: There were 26 arteriographically identified bleeding sites in the colon and small bowel. The most frequent cause of bleeding was diverticulosis (12 patients), with the diagnosis being arterio venous malformation in two, and one unknown colonic source. Transcatheter arterial embolization was attempted for 17 separate bleeding episodes in 16 patients. Transfusion requirements were an average (+/- standard deviation) of 7 +/- 1.43 units per patient. Transcatheter arterial embolization was successful in stopping bleeding in 14 cases (82 percent). Two patients had surgery after transcatheter arterial embolization: one for colonic necrosis and one for persisting bleeding. There were two more unsuccessful procedures; one had a successful repeated transcatheter arterial embolization, and one stopped spontaneously. One patient rebled during the same hospitalization and was controlled with intra-arterial vasopressin. There were two deaths, both secondary to sepsis unrelated to the transcatheter arterial embolization or the gastrointestinal tract. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter arterial embolization is a relatively safe and successful procedure in patients with massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. It is an excellent choice of therapy for patients that are poor candidates for surgery, but its role in other patients remains to be defined.

Aged↗

The effects of aspirin and methysergide, singly and in combination, on systemic haemodynamic responses to pulmonary embolism.

Pretreatment of anaesthetized rabbits with aspirin (A), 250 mg.kg-1, methysergide (M) 3 mg.kg-1 or a combination of both (A + M) was done before pulmonary embolism with a 1.0 ml autologous blood clot and compared with no pretreatment (C). Experiments were done until 10 survivors were present in each group. Mortality rate in controls (C) was 55 per cent (death in less than 30 minutes) compared to zero in (A) and (A + M) and nine per cent in (M). Arterial blood pressure fell to 60 per cent of pre-embolism values two minutes after embolism in (C) but had returned to 85 per cent of pre-embolism values after 60 minutes. This compares with a drop to 82 per cent at two minutes and 83 per cent at 60 minutes in (A), a drop to 70 per cent at two minutes and 90 per cent at 60 minutes in (M) and a very small drop to 92 per cent at two minutes which was unchanged at 60 minutes in (A + M). Right ventricular pressure increased by 75 per cent after two minutes compared to pre-embolism values in (C) and was still elevated by 37 per cent after 60 minutes. This compares with increases at two minutes and 60 minutes respectively of 58 and 23 per cent in (A), 65 and 35 per cent in (M) and 55 and 18 per cent in (A + M). Heart rate did not show any significant changes in any of the groups after embolism. These results show a dramatic reduction in mortality from pulmonary embolism with aspirin or methysergide pretreatment, which is associated with significant attenuation of the hypotensive response seen in controls. These agents may act by inhibiting the actions of a release of prostaglandins and serotonin. The additive effects of the combination used suggests that both mediators may play a role in the haemodynamic responses to pulmonary embolism.

Animals↗

Transesophageal echocardiography for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale: a comparison with radiological procedures.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the study was to assess prospectively the value of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for the diagnosis of massive pulmonary embolism complicated by acute cor pulmonale. DESIGN: A prospective study conducted on 44 consecutive patients. SETTING: A general intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 95 and October 96, 44 consecutive patients with clinically suspected acute pulmonary embolism underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), completed by TEE when acute cor pulmonale was present (30 patients). The results of the echocardiographic studies were compared with radiological investigations by helical CT or contrast angiography. RESULTS: The high sensitivity and specificity of the presence of acute cor pulmonale on TTE for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism was confirmed. Nineteen patients only underwent TEE. The sensitivity and the specificity of TEE in detecting a proximal pulmonary embolism were 84% and 84%, respectively. Its main limitation concerned the left pulmonary artery, in which only one thrombus was visualized by TEE whereas six were present on helical CT, and lobar pulmonary arteries which could not be visualized with TEE. Thus, the overall sensitivity of TEE for the detection of pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale was only 58%. CONCLUSION: In comparison with radiological procedures, TEE had limited accuracy for detecting pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale. When the pulmonary embolism was located in the main or right pulmonary artery, TEE could clarify the diagnosis within a few minutes without further invasive diagnostic procedures. However, a negative TEE did not exclude left proximal or lobar pulmonary embolism.

Acute Disease↗

Guglielmi detachable coil embolization for ruptured lower-midbasilar trunk aneurysms--a report of five cases.

Detachable coil embolization currently plays an essential role for patients with ruptured basilar artery aneurysms, even though it may have an unfavorable outcome and there may be some technical problems of embolization. We describe Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) embolization for five ruptured lower-mid basilar trunk aneurysms, using a variety of techniques. The patients' ages ranged from 61 to 78 years; Hunt and Kosnik grade was distributed from 2 to 4, and three patients were found to have fenestrations of the lower basilar arteries. All patients underwent aneurysmal embolization at the subacute or chronic stage. The transfemoral route was used in three patients--one of whom, with a wide-necked aneurysm, was treated by the balloon remodeling technique. The transbrachial approach was chosen for the fourth patient, while vertebral artery origin exposure followed by a direct puncture was achieved in the fifth. All patients were assessed with 80-100% aneurysmal obliteration. No patient re-bled after the embolization. Small cerebellar infarction, possibly due to embolism from the obliterated aneurysmal sac, occurred 11 days after the treatment. Of the five patients, four achieved a good recovery, and one became severely disabled. Ruptured basilar trunk aneurysms can be successfully treated with GDC embolization. In addition to the routine transfemoral route, the transbrachial route, direct vertebral artery puncture, and balloon remodeling technique are also useful for the embolization of this location of aneurysm.

Aged↗

Embolization of visceral pseudoaneurysms with platinum coils and N-butyl cyanoacrylate.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the efficacy of transcatheter embolization in visceral artery pseudoaneurysms with platinum coils and N-butyl-cyano-acrylate (NBCA). METHODS: Over the past 7 years, 20 patients were treated by transcatheter embolization in the same sitting with diagnostic angiography. Four right hepatic, one cystic, two gastroduodenal, one cavernosal artery, three superior mesenteric artery branch, and 11 renal artery branch pseudoaneurysms were included in the study. RESULTS: Surgery was completely avoided in 19 patients. In the remaining patient with a superior mesenteric artery branch pseudoaneurysm, endovascular embolization was unsuccessful. Eighteen pseudoaneurysms were thrombosed with coil embolization alone. The remaining three pseudoaneurysms needed NBCA embolization. Two patients died from sepsis within 5 weeks after embolization. CONCLUSION: Emergent diagnosis and treatment are essential in visceral artery pseudoaneurysms because of the high rate of death. Transcatheter embolization with platinum coils is an efficient, safe treatment of choice. NBCA may be used to avoid proximal embolization of the visceral arteries that could not be catheterized selectively because of tortuosity, vessel size, or anatomic location.

Adolescent↗

Trisacryl gelatin microspheres versus polyvinyl alcohol particles in the preoperative embolization of bone neoplasms.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of trisacryl gelatin microspheres versus polyvinyl alcohol particles (PVA) in the preoperative embolization of bone neoplasms, on the basis of intraoperative blood loss quantified by the differences in preoperative and postoperative hematic levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit and erythrocytes count. From January 1997 to December 2002, preoperative embolization of bone tumors (either primary or secondary) was carried out in 49 patients (age range 12/78), 20 of whom were treated with trysacril gelatin microspheres (group A) and 29 with PVA particles (group B). The delay between embolization and surgery ranged from 1 to 13 days in group A and 1 to 4 days in group B. As used in international protocols, we considered hematic levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit and erythrocytes count for the measurement of intraoperative blood loss then the differences in pre- and postoperative levels were used as statistical comparative parameters. We compared the values of patients treated with embospheres (n = 10) and PVA (n = 18) alone, and patients treated with (group A = 10; group B = 11) versus patients treated without other additional embolic materials in each group (group A = 10; group B = 18). According to the Student's t-test ( p < 0.05), the difference of hematic parameters between patients treated by embospheres and PVA alone were significant; otherwise there was no significant difference between patients treated with only one embolic material (embospheres and PVA) versus those treated with other additional embolic agents in each group. The patients treated with microspheres had a minor quantification of intraoperative blood loss compared to those who received PVA particles. Furthermore, they had a minor increase of bleeding related to the delay time between embolization and surgery. The use of additional embolic material did not improve the efficacy of the procedure in either group of patients.

Acrylic Resins↗