Vascular Embolotherapy

Endovascular embolization therapy has made remarkable progress during the past two decades, driven primarily by improvements in digital imaging, breakthroughs in microcatheter technology and coil design, and the development of new embolic materials. Initially employed in the management of musculoskeletal trauma, embolization therapy is now used for a wide range of applications. It permits effective non-operative management of major hepatic, splenic, and renal injuries that once posed a tremendous challenge to the trauma surgeon. Embolization therapy has also become an integral facet of the modern oncology center, offering solid organ chemoembolization, preoperative devascularization, hepatic growth stimulation prior to resection, and direct gene therapy delivery. Furthermore, it is now the modality of choice for the management of vascular malformations and visceral aneurysms, has important gynecological applications, and is a key adjunctive modality in the endovascular repair of complex aorto-iliac aneurysms.§This is the first of two volumes that present the current state of the art in this exciting and growing field. After an introductory section that discusses the general principles of embolization therapy, further sections are devoted to gastrointestinal, gynecological and obstetric, genitourinary, aortoiliac and bronchopulmonary applications. High informational content is supplemented by detailed graphics, providing a comprehensive reference work for both experts and novices in the field.