EMBOLIZATION WITH TEMPORARY BALLOON OCCLUSION OF THE INTERNAL CAROTID-ARTERY AND IN-VIVO PROTON SPECTROSCOPY IMPROVES RADICAL REMOVAL OF PETROUS-TENTORIAL MENINGIOMA

A HIGHLY VASCULAR petroclival meningioma supplied by tentorial branche s of the internal carotid artery was embolized by temporary balloon oc clusion of the parent vessel distal to the tumor, followed by oblitera tion of the tumor vascularity with polyvinyl alcohol particles. Subseq uently, in vivo proton spectroscopy showed necrosis of a large portion of the tumor and helped determine the timing of surgery. Both innovat ive techniques considerably facilitated the subsequent radical excisio n of the tumor with no neurological morbidity.