Embolization Techniques in the Treatment of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

Abstract

Cerebral embolization techniques have been modified greatly since Serbinenko first approached the cerebral artery with a microballoon [2]. During the last few years, flow-guided balloon systems with or without calibrated leak have become replaced by microcatheters of so-called “progressive softness”. These guidewire-supported catheter systems permit low-flow vessels to be approached independent of flow when the approach is limited more by the small diameter of the vessels than by the sharp angle of the bifurcations [1]. Further reductions in size (e.g. Tracker 10, Target Therapeutic Corporation, California, USA) nowadays allow even the most delicate vessels to be approached effectively, e.g., cerebral vessels in pediatric patients (Fig. 1) or perforating arteries.