Successful pre-operative endovascular intraventricular meningioma embolization: a systematic review and pediatric case analysis.

Abstract

Background: Intraventricular meningiomas are rare tumors accounting for a small fraction of intracranial meningiomas and are often associated with significant surgical challenges due to their deep location and rich vascular supply. Pre-operative endovascular embolization has been proposed as an adjunct to reduce intraoperative bleeding and facilitate safer resection; however, its role in intraventricular lesions remains poorly defined.

Method: We present a case of a 9.5-year-old boy with a highly vascular intraventricular meningioma who underwent pre-operative endovascular embolization followed by surgical resection. Additionally, a systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed and Scopus for studies reporting embolization of intraventricular meningiomas.

Results: In the presented case, selective embolization of the posterior choroidal artery using a glue-lipiodol mixture was successfully performed without complications, leading to reduced tumor vascularity and enabling gross total resection with minimal blood loss (< 300 mL). The systematic review identified seven cases from six studies. Embolization was successful in six cases, with varying degrees of devascularization. Gross total resection was achieved in all surgically treated patients. Reported intraoperative blood loss ranged from 150 to 1850 mL. Complications occurred in two of seven cases, including postoperative epidural hematoma.

Conclusion: Pre-operative endovascular embolization appears to be a technically feasible adjunct in selected cases of intraventricular meningiomas. However, current evidence is limited to case reports and small case series, precluding definitive conclusions regarding its safety or clinical benefit.