Embolotherapy embolic materials

Embolotherapy is a major aspect of Interventional Radiology and, as such, there are an increasing number of indications, ongoing research, and new developments. Numerous materials have been used for embolization and, recently, many new embolic agents, and devices have been developed. In this chapter we review the most common materials used in daily practice of most interventional radiologists. In this two-volume textbook, each chapter discusses separately the optimal embolic materials related to the corresponding clinical indications. We will also refer the readers to Chap. 10.6 in volume I, and Chap. 17 in Volume II, discussing future development in embolic materials. 

Vinaya KN, White RI, Jr, Sloan JM (2004) Reassessing bronchial artery embolotherapy with newer spherical embolic materials. J Vase Interv Radiol 15304-305... 

Embolotherapy is defined as the percutaneous endovascular use of one or more of a variety of agents or materials to accomplish vascular occlusion. The number of applications of embolotherapy continues to expand. This text provides a brief overview of the current applications of embolotherapy, current embolic techniques and some related general principles. 

Embolization involves the deliberate occlusion of the arterial supply to the tumor to create ischemia, tumor necrosis, and to arrest growth by the intraarterial delivery of particulate materials, sclerosing solutions and substances introduced in a liquid state that eventually solidify or precipitate. This concept was first described in 1960 by Dawbain et al, who injected melted paraffin-petrolatum into an external carotid artery in a patient with head and neck cancer. It wasn t until the early 1970s that catheter technology improved to the degree for transcatheter embolotherapy to emerge. 

The size and extent of the tumor, the need to preserve any of the renal parenchyma, and the overall goal of embolization should be considered in planning embolotherapy of renal tumors. Historically, the choice of embolic agents depended on the experience and preference of the operator. Although more than twenty embolic agents have been used (Table 16.2), it is most worthwhile to consider three classes of embolic agents currently used for embolizations of renal tumors liquid agents (the prototype of which is absolute ethanol), particulate materials (the prototype of which is polyvinyl alcohol foam), and metallic coils. 

---