Journal article
Timing of Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization and Surgery: Analysis of the EMBOLISE Trial
Stroke: vascular and interventional neurology
08/13/2026
DOI: 10.1161/SVIN.126.002359
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The EMBOLISE trial (The Embolization of the Middle Meningeal Artery With Onyx Liquid Embolic System in the Treatment of Subacute and Chronic Subdural Hematoma) demonstrated that middle meningeal artery embolization as an adjunct to surgical drainage reduces recurrence of symptomatic subacute and chronic subdural hematomas. We performed a subgroup analysis of the EMBOLISE surgical cohort to determine how the timing of embolization relative to surgery impacted various outcomes.
METHODS:
We performed a post hoc subgroup analysis to examine the association of the timing of embolization relative to surgery with the primary end point (hematoma reoperation within 90 days), secondary end points (clinical and radiographic outcomes), and safety end points (serious adverse events, neurological death, all-cause death, and stroke).
RESULTS:
Middle meningeal artery embolization before surgery (embolization-first group) and middle meningeal artery embolization after surgery (surgery-first group) were performed in 107 and 78 patients, respectively. Demographics and baseline clinical characteristics of the 2 groups were similar. The core laboratory confirmed the procedure to be successful in all patients with similar rates of distal penetration of Onyx into middle meningeal artery branches at the end of the embolization procedure in both groups (49.5% and 48.7%, respectively, P>0.99). Six of 103 patients in the embolization-first group (5.8%) and none in the surgery-first group needed reoperation within 90 days (analysis with observed data, P=0.08). Hematoma volumes at 90 and 180 days were similar except for lower hematoma thickness in the surgery-first group (2.3±3.0 mm versus 4.4±5.6 mm, P=0.03) at 180 days. Clinical and safety outcomes at 30, 90, and 180 days were similar.
CONCLUSIONS:
Performing surgical drainage before embolization in patients with subacute and chronic subdural hematomas may help minimize treatment failures and enhance hematoma resolution.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Timing of Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization and Surgery: Analysis of the EMBOLISE Trial
- Creators
- Maxim Mokin - Tampa General HospitalJared Knopman - Cornell UniversityJason M. Davies - University at Buffalo, State University of New YorkAmeer E. Hassan - Valley Baptist Medical CenterRobert E. Harbaugh - Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical CenterAlexander Khalessi - Neurological SurgeryJens Fiehler - University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfElad I. Levy - University at Buffalo, State University of New YorkBradley A. Gross - University of Pittsburgh Medical CenterRamesh Grandhi - University of UtahJason Tarpley - Little Company of Mary HospitalWalavan Sivakumar - Little Company of Mary HospitalMark Bain - Cleveland ClinicR. Webster Crowley - Rush UniversityThomas W. Link - Northwell HealthJustin F. Fraser - University of KentuckyMichael R. Levitt - Neurological SurgeryPeng Roc Chen - Memorial Hermann–Texas Medical CenterRicardo A. Hanel - Baptist Medical Center JacksonvilleJoe D. Bernard - Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine AssociatesMouhammad Jumaa - University of Toledo Medical CenterPatrick Youssef - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterMarshall C. Cress - Orlando Regional Medical CenterMohammad Imran ChaudryHakeem J. Shakir - University of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterWalter S. Lesley - Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - TempleJoshua Billingsley - Advocate Lutheran General HospitalJesse Jones - University of Alabama at BirminghamMatthew J. Koch - University of FloridaAlexandra R. Paul - Albany Medical Center HospitalWilliam J. Mack - University of Southern CaliforniaJoshua W. Osbun - Washington University in St. LouisKathleen Dlouhy - University of IowaJonathan A. Grossberg - Emory UniversityChristopher P. Kellner - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiDaniel H. Sahlein - Campbell CollaborationJustin Santarelli - Westchester Medical CenterClemens M. Schirmer - Geisinger Commonwealth School of MedicinePaul Mazaris - Grand Rapids Community CollegeJesse J. Liu - Oregon Health & Science UniversityAniel Q. Majjhoo - McLaren MacombThomas Wolfe - Aurora Health CareNeil V. Patel - Lahey Medical CenterChristopher Roark - University of Colorado DenverAdnan H. Siddiqui - University at Buffalo, State University of New Yorkon behalf of the EMBOLISE Investigators
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Stroke: vascular and interventional neurology
- DOI
- 10.1161/SVIN.126.002359
- ISSN
- 2694-5746
- eISSN
- 2694-5746
- Publisher
- American Heart Association
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 08/13/2026
- Academic Unit
- Neurosurgery
- Record Identifier
- 9985219307302771
Metrics
1 Record Views