PREOPERATIVE EMBOLIZATION OF SOLID CERVICOMEDULLARY JUNCTION HEMANGIOBLASTOMAS - REPORT OF 2 CASES

Solid cervicomedullary haemangioblastomas represent a small but techni cally challenging subset of posterior fossa haemangioblastomas because of their site, high vascularity and tendency to bleed. We present our experience with preoperative embolisation of two solid cervicomedulla ry haemangioblastomas. In both cases the main feeding artery was the p osterior inferior cerebellar artery. Arterial pedicles were catheteris ed with a microcatheter. The embolic material was small particles (150 -250 mu m) of polyvinyl alcohol. The result was almost complete preope rative obliteration of the vessels of the tumours. The procedure was w ell tolerated and facilitated easier bloodless, successful resection i n both cases, 24 h after embolisation.