- A minimally invasive procedure that blocks the blood supply to a highly vascular tumor before open surgical removal
- Most often used for meningiomas and other vascular tumors of the brain, skull base, and spine
- Performed through a catheter threaded into the small arteries feeding the tumor, where embolic material is delivered to shut down its blood supply
- Significantly reduces blood loss during the subsequent operation, making the surgery safer and often shorter
- Typically performed a few days before the planned resection
- Because Dr. Missios performs both the embolization and the tumor removal, the two procedures are planned together as a single coordinated treatment