The Comparative Outcomes of Particulate Versus Coil Preoperative Embolization for Carotid Body Tumors

Abstract

Till now, the effect of different embolic materials (particulate vs coil) on pre-embolization of carotid body tumors remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to explore the comparative results between particulate and coil embolization for carotid body tumors. Thirty-seven patients with carotid body tumors who underwent embolization before surgical resection were reviewed and analyzed in this retrospective study between 2008 and 2020. Twenty-one patients were included in the particulate group, while 16 patients were included in the coil group. All procedure-related details, complications and 5-year follow-up data were collected in the study. The preoperative embolization time was obviously longer in the particulate group than in the coil group (42.6 ± 12.3 min vs. 33.7 ± 10.1 min, P =.02), and the fluo time of the procedure (864.5 ± 240.9 s vs. 729.6 ± 251.5 s) and cumulative air kerma (634.6 ± 188.4 mGy vs. 486.7 ± 164.7 mGy) value were higher in the particulate group (P =.01). The incidences of total adverse events in both groups were not significantly different (28.6% vs. 25.0%, P >.05); however, two cases of ectopic embolization only occurred in the particulate group. Interestingly, medical expenditure was higher in the particulate group than in the coil group (P =.02). For the 3-year follow-up evaluation, recurrence and all-cause mortality were similar in both groups (P >.05). Preoperative embolization with coils could be relatively safe, have a lower radiation dosage and be cost-effective for the treatment of carotid body tumors.

Retrospective, multicenter study of surgical treatment for carotid body tumors with or without preoperative embolization

“…In most cases, the CBT receives its blood supply from the external carotid artery. Hence, several studies suggested that preoperative embolization might be an alternative method for preventing blood loss before surgery treatment (4,(7)(8)(9)(10). However, the preoperative embolization lengthens the overall treatment time of CBT, increasing the economic burden on patients as well.…”