Preoperative Embolization of Hypervascular Brain Tumor Fed by Branches of the Internal Carotid Artery

ABSTRACT

Preoperative embolization of hypervascualr brain tumors is known to be an effective method to reduce intraoperative bleeding and to reduce the operative difficulty. The most commonly tumor vessels are branches of the external carotid artery, which are frequently embolized as a preoperative procedure. However, branches from the internal carotid artery, such as the ophthalmic artery, tentorial artery, or cortical branches sometimes feed tumors, but there are some limitations of embolization of branches from the internal carotid artery. In addition, hypervascular tumors are rarely associated with neoplastic aneurysms. Their possible role in producing massive intraoperative hemorrhage has been well recognized. We describe the successful embolization of the tumor vessels from branches of the internal carotid artery and their neovascularization.