Q) What are the potential complications after preoperative tumor embolization?

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A) Localized pain, fever, cranial nerve palsy, skin/scalp necrosis, stroke, intratumor hemorrhage, subdural hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage and tumor edema. A tumor that is large, or has cystic or necrotic components, is high risk for hemorrhage. When we embolize large tumors, we need to watch for tumor edema after embolization, which can lead to increased intracranial pressure. Preoperative and postoperative (48 hours) dexamethasone should be administered.

Figure from World Neurosurg 2018, 111:e113-e119.