middle_meningeal_artery_embolization_for_chronic_subdural_hematoma

Middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematomas



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Middle meningeal artery embolization is effective for Chronic subdural hematoma recurrence, and is considered an effective therapeutic method to stop hematoma enlargement and promote resolution 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6).

A pilot study indicated that perioperative middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization could be offered as the least invasive and most effectual means of treatment for resistant patients of CSDHs with 1 or more recurrences 7).

Chihara et al. have treated three cases of CSDH with MMA embolization to date, but there was a postoperative recurrence in one patient, which required a craniotomy for hematoma removal and capsulectomy. MMA embolization blocks the blood supply from the dura to the hematoma outer membrane in order to prevent recurrences of refractory CSDH. Histopathologic examination of the outer membrane of the hematoma excised during craniotomy showed foreign-body giant cells and neovascular proliferation associated with embolization. Because part of the hematoma was organized in this case, the CSDH did not resolve when the MMA was occluded, and the development of new collateral pathways in the hematoma outer membrane probably contributed to the recurrence. Therefore, in CSDH with some organized hematoma, MMA embolization may not be effective. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be performed in these patients before embolization 8).


Perioperative prophylactic Middle meningeal artery embolization in the setting of surgical evacuation, via either craniotomy or subdural evacuating port system (SEPS), may help to lower the recurrence rate of cSDH 9).

It can be used safely and effectively as an alternative or adjunctive minimally invasive chronic subdural hematoma treatment in elderly and advanced elderly patients 10).

It has been proposed as a curative treatment for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH), but evidence for the indication and timing is not definitive.

A case of a 74-year-old male on aspirin with a history of recurrent symptomatic chronic right-sided subdural hematoma treated successfully with a SEPS and right middle meningeal artery embolization with poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) microparticles. The patient initially presented to the emergency department with headaches, difficulty walking, and left sided hemiparesis. CT Head showed a large chronic right-sided subdural hematoma measuring 2.7 cm thick with 1 cm of leftward shift. Patient underwent placement of a right-sided SEPS and the subdural hematoma decreased in size to 1.0 cm with 2 mm of leftward shift. The patient had resolution of headaches and neurological symptoms and was discharged home. Three months later, the patient returned to the emergency department with headache and left hand numbness. CT Head showed an acute on chronic right-sided subdural hematoma measuring 1.4 cm with 3 mm of leftward shift. Patient underwent right-sided SEPS placement. Repeat CT Head showed reduction in the subdural hematoma to 1.2 cm. The SEPS was removed and the patient had resolution of neurological symptoms. The patient then had a diagnostic cerebral angiogram with PVA microparticle embolization of the right middle meningeal artery. A SEPS was placed at the time of the angiogram to further reduce the size of the subdural hematoma.

Repeat CT Head after SEPS and middle meningeal artery embolization showed decrease in size of the subdural hematoma. Follow-up CT Head showed stability of the subdural hematoma and patient had no further neurological symptoms. Patient was discharged home.

Middle meningeal artery embolization is a useful endovascular technique for reducing the arterial supply to the membranes in chronic subdural hematomas. Middle meningeal artery embolization can reduce the recurrence rate of subdural hematomas 11).


In 1994 a rare case of chronic subdural hematoma associated with a middle meningeal arteriovenous fistula was treated by a combination of embolization and burr hole drainage. This clinical situation might be missed in this era of computed tomography, when cerebral angiography is seldom indicated for the diagnosis of neuro-traumatic diseases. We should bear in mind the possibility of this clinical situation of a chronic subdural hematoma associated with a linear skull fracture crossing the middle meningeal groove in order to avoid possible hemorrhagic complications during surgery for chronic subdural hematoma 12).


1)
Mandai S, Sakurai M, Matsumoto Y. Middle meningeal artery embolization for refractory chronic subdural hematoma. Case report. J Neurosurg. 2000 Oct;93(4):686-8. PubMed PMID: 11014549.
2)
Takahashi K, Muraoka K, Sugiura T, Maeda Y, Mandai S, Gohda Y, Kawauchi M, Matsumoto Y. [Middle meningeal artery embolization for refractory chronic subdural hematoma: 3 case reports]. No Shinkei Geka. 2002 May;30(5):535-9. Japanese. PubMed PMID: 11993178.
3)
Hirai S, Ono J, Odaki M, Serizawa T, Nagano O. Embolization of the Middle Meningeal Artery for Refractory Chronic Subdural Haematoma. Usefulness for Patients under Anticoagulant Therapy. Interv Neuroradiol. 2004 Dec 24;10 Suppl 2:101-4. Epub 2008 May 15. PubMed PMID: 20587257; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3522210.
4)
Tsukamoto Y, Oishi M, Shinbo J, Fujii Y. Transarterial embolisation for refractory bilateral chronic subdural hematomas in a case with dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2011 May;153(5):1145-7. doi: 10.1007/s00701-010-0891-3. Epub 2010 Dec 2. PubMed PMID: 21125409.
5)
Mino M, Nishimura S, Hori E, Kohama M, Yonezawa S, Midorikawa H, Kaimori M, Tanaka T, Nishijima M. Efficacy of middle meningeal artery embolization in the treatment of refractory chronic subdural hematoma. Surg Neurol Int. 2010 Dec 13;1:78. doi: 10.4103/2152-7806.73801. PubMed PMID: 21206540; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3011107.
6)
Hashimoto T, Ohashi T, Watanabe D, Koyama S, Namatame H, Izawa H, Haraoka R, Okada H, Ichimasu N, Akimoto J, Haraoka J. Usefulness of embolization of the middle meningeal artery for refractory chronic subdural hematomas. Surg Neurol Int. 2013 Aug 19;4:104. doi: 10.4103/2152-7806.116679. eCollection 2013. PubMed PMID: 24032079; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3766342.
7)
Kim E. Embolization Therapy for Refractory Hemorrhage in Patients with Chronic Subdural Hematomas. World Neurosurg. 2017 May;101:520-527. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2017.02.070. Epub 2017 Feb 27. PubMed PMID: 28249828.
8)
Chihara H, Imamura H, Ogura T, Adachi H, Imai Y, Sakai N. Recurrence of a Refractory Chronic Subdural Hematoma after Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization That Required Craniotomy. NMC Case Rep J. 2014 May 9;1(1):1-5. doi: 10.2176/nmccrj.2013-0343. eCollection 2014 Oct. PubMed PMID: 28663942; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5364934.
9)
Schwarz J, Carnevale JA, Goldberg JL, Ramos AD, Link TW, Knopman J. Perioperative prophylactic middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematoma: a series of 44 cases. J Neurosurg. 2021 May 21:1-9. doi: 10.3171/2020.10.JNS202856. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34020417.
10)
Joyce E, Bounajem MT, Scoville J, Thomas AJ, Ogilvy CS, Riina HA, Tanweer O, Levy EI, Spiotta AM, Gross BA, Jankowitz BT, Cawley CM, Khalessi AA, Pandey AS, Ringer AJ, Hanel R, Ortiz RA, Langer D, Levitt MR, Binning M, Taussky P, Kan P, Grandhi R. Middle meningeal artery embolization treatment of nonacute subdural hematomas in the elderly: a multiinstitutional experience of 151 cases. Neurosurg Focus. 2020 Oct;49(4):E5. doi: 10.3171/2020.7.FOCUS20518. PMID: 33002874.
12)
Komiyama M, Yasui T, Tamura K, Nagata Y, Fu Y, Yagura H. Chronic subdural hematoma associated with middle meningeal arteriovenous fistula treated by a combination of embolization and burr hole drainage. Surg Neurol. 1994 Oct;42(4):316-9. doi: 10.1016/0090-3019(94)90400-6. PMID: 7974127.
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