CLINICAL-RESULTS OF TRANSVENOUS SYSTEMIC EMBOLOTHERAPY WITH A NEURORADIOLOGIC DETACHABLE BALLOON

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of transvenous systemic embolotherap y with a neuroradiologic detachable balloon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As part of a clinical trial, a detachable silicone balloon was used to o cclude pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) in 35 patients an d varicocele in 14 patients. In patients with PAVM, the indications fo r embolotherapy were prophylaxis against paradoxic embolization (n = 3 5) and dyspnea, fatigue, or both (n = 26); in patients with varicocele , they were pain or a discomforting lesion (n = 8) or infertility (n = 6). RESULTS: Balloon embolotherapy was successful in 79 (98%) of the 81 lesions in which it was attempted; 29 (37%) of these 79 balloons we re used in conjunction with coils. Ninety-six (97%) of 99 balloons wer e successfully placed; the three technical failures had no substantial clinical sequelae, and in all three, occlusion was eventually achieve d with either detachable balloons or coils. Of six late deflations, fi ve occurred in balloons placed adjacent to coils; only one, which occu rred between 1 day and 21 days after placement, resulted in recanaliza tion. CONCLUSION: Transvenous embolization with this detachable balloo n was relatively simple and provided cross-sectional occlusion of PAVM s and varicocele.