Clinical Report: Innovative Preoperative Embolization Technique for Managing a Large Intracranial Metastasis of Pheochromocytoma

Background

Intracranial metastasis from pheochromocytoma is rare, with fewer than 100 cases documented. Surgical resection is the primary treatment, but it poses significant risks of hemodynamic instability due to catecholamine release. Preoperative embolization has been established for extracranial metastases, but its application in the intracranial setting has not been previously reported.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Intracranial metastasis from pheochromocytoma is exceedingly rare.
• The patient presented with a 7.8 × 6.0 cm hypervascular left parietal mass.
• Superselective transarterial embolization was performed prior to resection, achieving near-complete devascularization.
• Postoperative outcomes included normalization of catecholamines and significant neurological improvement.
• This case represents the first documented use of preoperative embolization for an intracranial pheochromocytoma metastasis.

Clinical Implications

Preoperative embolization may reduce intraoperative hemorrhage and catecholamine release during resection of functional intracranial pheochromocytoma metastases. This technique should be considered in similar clinical scenarios.

Conclusion

The successful application of preoperative embolization in this case highlights its potential benefits in managing intracranial pheochromocytoma metastases. Further studies may be warranted to evaluate its broader applicability.

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