Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41428034›Full record

SynthesisClinical neuroradiology2026

Embolic Agents for Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization in Chronic Subdural Hematoma: a Systematic Review and Comparative Pooled Analysis.

Helbert de Oliveira Manduca Palmiero, Eberval Gadelha Figueiredo

Abstract readSystematic ReviewComparative Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Clinical neuroradiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Helbert de Oliveira Manduca PalmieroDepartment of Neurosurgery, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. helbertpalmiero@gmail.com.
Eberval Gadelha FigueiredoDepartment of Neurosurgery, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeMiddle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization has emerged as a promising alternative or supplement to surgery for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). However, the effectiveness of different embolic agents remains unclear.

methodsWe systematically reviewed 41 studies published up to September 2025, including 8 meta-analyses, 1 scoping review, and 32 clinical cohorts or series. Embolic agents evaluated included liquid agents (Onyx, Squid, n‑BCA), particulates (polyvinyl alcohol [PVA], microspheres), and coils. The primary endpoint was treatment failure, defined as symptomatic or radiological recurrence of cSDH requiring repeat intervention (repeat MMA embolization or surgical rescue); secondary outcomes included complications, mortality, and functional outcomes.

resultsNo embolic agent demonstrated consistent superiority in randomized trials, meta-analyses, or observational cohorts. Pooled recurrence rates were lowest with n‑BCA (0.8%), followed by Squid (3.6%), Onyx (4.4%), PVA particles (7.3%), and coils (9.0%). Although pooled recurrence appeared lowest with n‑BCA and highest with coils, most randomized and observational comparative studies did not detect statistically significant differences between embolic agents. Major complications were infrequent (≈1-3%) and similar across agents. Liquid embolics had significantly higher costs than PVA particles but did not lead to improved functional outcomes.

conclusionMMA embolization is a safe and effective treatment for cSDH. Outcomes are generally similar across different embolic agents, and selection should be based on anatomical factors, operator expertise, and resource availability rather than expectations of agent-specific effectiveness.

Indexed as

Embolization, TherapeuticHematoma, Subdural, ChronicMeningeal ArteriesDimethyl SulfoxideHumansPolyvinylsRecurrenceTreatment OutcomeDimethyl SulfoxidePolyvinylsChronic subdural hematomaEmbolizationMiddle meningeal arteryN‑BCAOnyxPolyvinyl alcohol

Identifiers

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.