DSA analysis of 52 cases with sphenoidal crest meningiomas and pre-operative embolization

Objective: To investigate the characteristic of blood supply of sphenoidal crest meningiomas and the meaning of pre-operative embolization for surgical incision. Methods: Among 52 cases with sphenoidal crest meningiomas, 31 cases located in the right and 21 cases in the left. 52 cases all underwent DSA, with 30 cases undergoing external carotid artery embolization and surgical incision 5-7 days after embolization. Results: (1) Occupying effect of meningiomas may lead to abnormal change of neighboring cerebral vessel. (2) Among 52 cases, only the branch of external carotid artery supply was revealed in 11 cases, both of external and internal carotid artery supply in 29, and only internal carotid artery supply in 12. (3) Among 30 cases undergoing embolization, 25 cases were treated using gel form powder and 5 cases using silk. Mainly embolized supplying artery: only middle meningeal artery in 18, both middle meningeal artery and accessory meningeal artery in 10. After embolization, tumor stain evidently decreased in 20, disappeared in 5, and slightly decreased in the other 5. (4) Amount 30 cases undergoing surgical incision after embolization, 24 cases were wholly resected. Among 22 cases without embolization, only 10 cases were wholly resected. The difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Pre-operative cerebral angiography and embolization are beneficial for the total resection of sphenoidal crest meningioma