Image-Guided Mini-Invasive Treatments for Vascular and Oncologic Diseases: Embolization Therapy

Transcatheter Embolization, also called Embolotherapy, is a mini-invasive, non-surgical therapeutic solution used in Interventional Radiology to close blood vessels deliberately. A wide range of embolic agents is available in clinical practice, including metal coils and liquid agents. More recent advances in biomaterials such as shape-memory foam and in-situ gelling solutions have led to the development of new pre-clinical embolic agents. This review offers a brief overview of current and emerging technologies in the field of endovascular embolization. The focus is on devices, materials and techniques.