Preoperative angiography and superselective embolization in treatment of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma

Objective To study the clinical value of preoperative superselective embolization of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.Methods Fourteen patients with nasopharyngeal angiofibroma diagnosed by CT and CTA,and proved surgically and pathologically were included in this study.Angiography of bilateral external and internal carotid artery were performed in all cases.The external carotid arterial blood supply of tumors were superselectively embolized with 300-510 μm particles of polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) and gelform.Surgical resection was performed post-embolization within 1 to 3 days.Results The main feeding vessels of tumors were the internalmaxillary artery in 9 patients,the internalmaxillary artery and ascending pharyngeal artery in 5 patients.Preoperative endovascular embolization of the branches of external carotid artery with catheter was achieved in all patients.After embolization,tumor stains disappeared completely in 9 patients and partially in 5 patients.There was no complication.Conclusion Preoperative intravascular embolization of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma with catheter is a safe and effective method.