Selective transcatheter arterial embolization before resection of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: report of 6 cases

Objective: To assess the clinical value of selective transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE) in nasopharyngeal angiofibroma before operation.Methods: Six cases of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma were embolized with silk particles and gelatin sponge under digital subtraction angiography(DSA),and surgical resection was performed under endoscope 2 days later.Results: All the cases were successfully embolized at one time.The mean amount of haemorrhage during operation was 50-300 ml.Computed Tomography showed that the nasopharyngeal angiofibroma was completely removed in all the cases.Conclusions: Selective transcatheter arterial embolization before resection of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma can reduce the mean amount of haemorrhage during operation,which promises an extensive prospect in wider application.