Introduction: Endovascular embolization for tumors and vascular malformations has emerged as an important pre-operative adjunct prior to resection. We describe the advantages of utilizing a recently released dual lumen balloon catheter for ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, also known as Onyx (ev3, Irvine, California), embolization for a variety of head and neck pathologies.
Methods: A retrospective review of all cases utilizing the Scepter C balloon catheter (MicroVention Inc., Tustin, California) for use in balloon-augmented embolization was performed over a four-month period from October 2012 to February 2013 at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Charts and angiographic images were reviewed. Representative cases involving diverse pathologies are summarized illustrate the observed advantages of balloon-augmented Onyx embolization with a dual-lumen balloon catheter.
Results: Balloon-augmented Onyx embolization utilizing a novel dual lumen balloon catheter was employed to treat both ruptured and unruptured arteriovenous malformations, intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulae, intracranial neoplasms, carotid body tumors, a thyroid mass and an extracranial arteriovenous fistula.
Conclusions: The dual lumen balloon catheter has several advantages for use with Onyx embolization over older devices including more efficient proximal plug formation and enhanced navigability for placement deep within pedicles. The balloon-augmented Onyx embolization technique represents a valuable tool to add in the armamentarium of the neurointerventionalist to address a variety of head and neck lesions.
Patient Care: By demonstrating a novel way of embolizing vascular pathologies
Learning Objectives: By the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to understand the utility of using a dual lumen device to assist with embolization