[Pre-operative embolisation of vascular tumours in the head (author's transl)].

Trans-vascular, pre-operative embolisation in order to reduce blood flow was carried out with excellent results in a patient with a naso-pharyngeal fibroma, and with relatively good results in a patient with a pterion meningioma. This technique can be carried out following the diagnostic angiogram through the same catheter; it reduces operative blood loss, improves haemostasis and the surgeon's view of the operative field. The method can be used simply and without risk in any case where the tumour blood supply is derived exclusively or predominantly from branches of external carotid artery.