ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the clinical value of the preoperative intra-arterial embolization of the nasopharyngeal angiofibromas. Methods The treatment group of 7 male patients with the nasopharyngeal angiofibromas were undergone angiographic evaluation and embolization of tumor-feeding vessels before surgery. All patients were embolized with gelfoam particles and PVA. The control group of 7 patients received surgical treatment without preoperative embolization. We compared the volumes of intraoperative bleeding and the blood transfusions during oprations between the two groups. Results All patients achieved symptomatic remission,with no complications. Comparing with the control group,the amount of intraoperative bleeding and the blood transfusions during operations were much less in the treatment group submitted to endovascular embolirzation.Marked edema in the peripheral region of tumor of the treatment group made the tumor easy to be dissociated. Conclusion The intraoperative bleeding can be reduced significantly by preoperative embolization of supplying arteries to the nasopharyngeal angiofibromas,therefore it should be used routinely as an adjunct to surgery. (J Intervent Radiol,2006,15: 345-347)