Therapeutic embolization in the external carotid artery region.

Therapeutic transcatheter embolization with spongostan in the region of the external carotid artery has been employed in 17 patients, in some of them on several occasions. The technique is presented and different means of avoiding complications are discussed in detail. Embolization has been used preoperatively and as the single mode of treatment of ENT tumours or meningeomas, and also as the only treatment in arteriovenous malformations. The technique has proven particularly useful in preoperative de-arterialization of ENT tumours when surgery follows in 1 to 2 days. In cases with arteriovenous shunts, a subjective improvement has been achieved.