Embolization Health Dictionary

The deliberate obstruction of a blood vessel in order to stop

internal bleeding or to cut off the blood supply to a tumour. In the latter case, the technique can relieve pain; cause the tumour to shrivel, making surgical removal easier; or stop the tumour from spreading. Embolization can also be used to block flow through vascular abnormalities such as haemangiomas both in the skin and the internal organs. A catheter is introduced into a blood vessel near the one to be blocked and the embolus that will block the vessel is released through the catheter. Emboli are made of materials such as bloodclotting agents or silicone.

(therapeutic embolization) n. the introduction of any material to reduce or completely obstruct blood flow. Conditions such as varicocele, fibroids, hepatoma, congenital arteriovenous malformations (see angioma), angiodysplasia, malignant tumours, or arterial rupture are commonly treated with embolization. Under X-ray screening control, a catheter is guided to the blood vessel (artery or vein) supplying the affected area and occluding material, such as microspheres, metallic coils, PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), or gel foam, is injected. The procedure may treat the underlying problem or simplify subsequent surgery. See also chemoembolization; coiling; uterine artery embolization.