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Minimally Invasive Procedures

Brain tumor embolization


Brain tumor embolization refers to the blockage of the tiny arteries that supply a tumor of the brain. The procedure is usually performed in combination with traditional surgery to remove the tumor. The goal of embolization is to block the blood supply to the tumor. This results in less blood loss during surgery.

In brain tumor embolization, a tiny tube called a catheter is inserted into the groin artery through a very small incision. The tube is the navigated to the artery that supplies the tumor, either in the brain or along the surface of the skull. Once there, tiny micro-particles are injected. The particles travel downstream via blood flow, to the tumor itself. These particles then block the blood supply within the tumor itself. Brain tumor embolization does not provide a permanent blockage of the tumor arteries. As a result, embolization is planned one to two days prior to definitive surgery for tumor removal.

Glomus tumor

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