Visibility and Resorption: Are These Features Important?

Embolic Materials: Understanding the Ocean of Choices

“…While several features of particle embolics require consideration (including compressibility, shape, size, degree of inflammation, and injectability) and are therefore targets of innovation, two-particle features, visibility, and resorbability, have generated significant research interest. 28 Because of the theoretical advantages of resorbable particles discussed above several studies have been evaluating new materials. For example, Sommer et al demonstrated reduced post-procedure complications when using a novel biodegradable microsphere in comparison with established permanent microspheres.…”

“…Similarly, the development of visible particles has been an active area of research with several studies reporting computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visible particles. 28 38 In theory, particle visibility on follow-up imaging would enable a greater understanding of collateral pathways, embolization dynamics, reduce non-target embolization, as well as aid in the understanding of the relationship between particle distribution and clinical failure. However, it is yet unknown how changing the chemical composition to make particles visible will affect other aspects of their performance.…”

“…27 In fact, the application of particle embolization has surged in the past couple of decades, including uterine fibroid embolization, embolization for benign prostatic hyperplasia, and drug eluting-particles for oncologic purposes among others. 28 Particles, as the name implies, are small (typically sizes are measured by micrometer) embolics that are delivered through a catheter/microcatheter. After leaving the catheter tip particles flow along with the blood to the distal vascular system.…”

The Common but Complicated Tool: Review of Embolic Materials for the Interventional Radiologist

“…One is the development of radio-opaque particles. [17][18][19] There is a commercially available radio-opaque particle, LC Bead Lumi TM (Boston Scientific); however, it still requires the addition of contrast to be seen fluoroscopically but is visible on posttreatment computed tomography. New visible particles are in the pipeline.…”