Embolization - the intentional closing of blood vessels - can be used in the treatment of many conditions, including cerebral (brain) aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations or AVMs of the brain and spine, vein of Galen malformations (VGMs), vascular malformations, tumors and nosebleeds (see image 19-01 below). Sometimes embolization can be the sole form of treatment, but it can also be used in conjunction with surgery. Embolization can also be palliative. This means that the procedure is not a cure, but rather offers an improvement to the patient's quality of life - by decreasing pain, for example.

Dr. Alejandro Berenstein helped pioneer this technique and is a world-renowned expert and leader in the advancement of this technology. Endovascular embolization is a relatively new technique offered at a limited number of centers in North America.

It may be used in certain patients when treatment with surgery is difficult, or the patient's medical condition won't allow a major surgery, or when the patient prefers it over conventional surgery.

During the embolization procedure, the physician inserts a catheter through a tiny incision in the skin of the groin into the femoral artery, a large blood vessel in the leg. Using fluoroscopy or x-ray guidance, the catheter is navigated to the site of the abnormality, by way of the circulatory system's network of blood vessels, until the tip of the catheter is positioned at the problem site.

Next, an embolizing agent - a material used to seal the blood vessel - is injected through the catheter. There are a variety of embolic agents used depending on the specific requirements. They include: small plastic particles, glue, metal coils, foam and/or a balloon; each has a specific use depending on the vascular disorder being treated (see image 19-02 below).