Precipitating hydrophobic injectable liquid embolization of intracranial vascular shunts: initial experience and technical note

Abstract

Precipitating hydrophobic injectable liquid (PHIL) is a newly available liquid embolic agent for endovascular therapy. It is nonadhesive and composed of a biocompatible polymer dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide solvent and bonded covalently with iodine.In this report, the authors present their preliminary experience using PHIL in the treatment of intracranial vascular shunts. Between July 2015 and December 2015, 11 patients underwent endovascular embolization using the PHIL embolic agent. Five patients had arteriovenous malformations, 4 had dural arteriovenous fistulas, 1 patient had a carotid-cavernous fistula, and 1 patient had a pial arteriovenous fistula. Clinical features, angioarchitectural characteristics, procedural details, and periprocedural complications were included in the analysis.Complete or near-complete obliteration of the nidus or fistulas was achieved in 8 of these patients. Partial embolization (approximately 80% in 2 and 30% in 1) was attained in the other 3 patients. Satisfactory venous penetration after nidal embolization was achieved in all patients. In 1 patient, the microcatheter could not be retrieved. No other major complications related to PHIL injection were noted during the procedure or periprocedural period. Clinical follow-up ranging from 8 months to 1 year showed good outcomes in all but 1 patient, who experienced an intraventricular hemorrhage 6 weeks after embolization.PHIL appears to be an effective alternative embolic material with certain advantages over other available liquid embolic agents. Further studies with adequate follow-up are required to fully evaluate its safety and efficacy.