Particle embolization reduces operative complications compared to liquid agents in meningioma preoperative embolization

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The neuroradiology journal Published June 1, 2026 Medically reviewed June 1, 2026 Study authors: Barbosa Pereira Davi, Correia Maciel Rafaela, Jun Lee Wei, Castilho Vivian, Dos Reis Schevz Rodrigo,… PubMed ↗ DOI ↗ By Dr. Julia Lee, PhD · Oncology, Genomics & Drug Development

Key Takeaway

Consider particle embolization for meningiomas to reduce operative complications versus liquid agents.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the comparative efficacy of particle embolization versus liquid embolic agents in patients undergoing preoperative embolization for meningiomas. The analysis included 1827 patients across the included studies. The primary outcomes assessed were the degree of devascularization, intraoperative blood loss, ischemic events, and overall complications. No data on adverse events or serious adverse events were reported in the source material.

Results indicated a significantly lower incidence of operative complications when using particle embolization compared to liquid agents. The pooled odds ratio was 0.35 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.20 to 0.62 and a p-value less than 0.001. In contrast, there was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss between the two groups. The mean difference was -65.01 mL with a 95% confidence interval ranging from -237.01 to 107.00 mL and a p-value of 0.46.

The review did not report on ischemic events or the degree of devascularization as specific quantitative outcomes in the main results section. Follow-up duration was not reported. Funding sources and potential conflicts of interest were not reported. The authors did not specify limitations regarding the certainty of the evidence or causality. Practice relevance was not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

Sample sizen = 1,827

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJun 2026

PMID42184015

View Original Abstract ↓

IntroductionPreoperative embolization reduces intraoperative blood loss (IBL) in meningioma treatment, but the optimal embolic material remains uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis compares the effectiveness and safety of particle versus liquid embolic agents in the preoperative embolization of meningiomas.MethodsPubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Scopus were searched for studies comparing particles and liquid embolic agents in patients undergoing preoperative embolization of meningiomas. Primary outcomes included the degree of devascularization, IBL, ischemic events, and overall complications. The risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I. Statistical analyses were conducted using R.ResultsThe analysis included four studies, covering a total of 1827 patients. Particles were associated with a significantly lower incidence of operative complications (OR = 0.35; 95% CI 0.20-0.62; < 0.001; I = 0.0%). The other outcomes did not differ between groups. Regarding IBL, no significant difference was observed between particulate and liquid embolic agents (MD = -65.01 mL; 95% CI -237.01-107.00; = 0.46; I = 77.8%).ConclusionOur systematic review and meta-analysis indicate no significant differences between particulate and embolic agents; however, particulate agents were associated with a lower incidence of overall complications, suggesting a potential advantage in perioperative safety.