The value of preoperative embolization in large and giant solid cerebellar hemangioblastomas.

Background: Solid cerebellar hemangioblastomas are highly vascular lesions and may cause catastrophic hemorrhage during excision.

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 10 patients (7 men and 3 women, with a mean age of 38.2 ± 12.5 years) with solid cerebellar hemangioblastomas. All patients had a solitary tumor and underwent surgical resection of the lesion through a suboccipital approach. The basic features, serial radiographic examinations, and operative records were analyzed.

Results: The most common presenting symptoms were headache (100%), ataxia (100%), and long tract manifestations (60%). Three patients had experienced failed surgery previously due to massive intraoperative bleeding. Three patients were confirmed as having Von Hippel-Lindau disease. The average size of the tumor was 40.7 ± 8.7 mm in its maximal diameter (range 25-58 mm). Total endovascular occlusion obtained in six patients, near total occlusion in three patients, and incomplete occlusion in one patient. Nine (90.0%) patients underwent gross total resection and one (10.0%) underwent partial resection. After the primary surgery, eight (80.0%) patients experienced improvement in their symptoms, two (20.0%) maintained their pre-treatment status, and none showed neurological deterioration following tumor resection. Blood loss during surgery after embolization was minimal and controllable.

Conclusions: Preoperative embolization improves safety and efficacy of the microsurgical excision of such tightly located very vascular tumors. Embolization changes the concept of this lesion surgery into piecemeal removal rather than a total mass extraction technique. Liquid agents are superior to particles in obliteration of such lesions.