Background and Objective: Meningiomas represent the most prevalent benign intracranial tumors, comprising 13- 26% of primary intracranial neoplasms. These tumors derive their blood supply from both extracranial and intracranial circulation. Over recent decades, pre-operative embolization (POE) has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy to surgery, aiming to reduce tumor vascularity. Our study seeks to explore the potential correlation between the extent of devascularization following POE of meningiomas and intraoperative blood loss. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved nine meningioma patients at a tertiary hospital, involving chart review of patients across four years. These patients were referred for POE due to angiographic evidence of a hypervascular mass between January 2018 and January 2022. We collected demographic data, tumor characteristics (including location, size, and vascular supply), and intraoperative variables such as total operative time and blood loss. Statistical analyses aimed to uncover correlations between vascularization degree and various factors. Results: Our population consists predominantly of females (53.68%), with a mean age of 45.85 ± 13.65 years. Only one mortality was recorded (7.7%). Pre-operative embolization achieved devascularization in the majority (69.2%) of cases, with approximately two-thirds (66.7%) experiencing complete devascularization. Mean total operative time stood at 336.11 ± 301.88 minutes, with a mean post-operative blood loss of 985.56 ± 1013.72 milliliters. Additionally, for those with recorded recovery times, the mean recovery time was 14.32 ± 13.51 hours. : Mortality rates showed no association with sex, devascularization status, or number of feeding vessel zones. Furthermore, the extent of devascularization did not correlate with age, sex, number of feeding vessel zones, postoperative blood loss, total operative time, or recovery time (p >0.05). Conclusion In summary, this study represents a significant endeavor to elucidate factors influencing meningioma outcomes following pre-operative embolization. Despite limitations regarding patient numbers, our study offers valuable insights into operative parameters and embolization considerations for future analyses in our tertiary center.
Meningioma ; Radiology, Interventional

Background and Objective: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a locoregional therapy used in patients with unresectable intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It has proven benefit on overall survival, but considerable side effects and potential complications may occur. Preservation of quality of life is a concern in many cancer-related therapies, and the same goal should apply in TACE. This study aimed to determine the effect of TACE on the immediate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Filipino patients with unresectable HCC. Methods: A prospective observational survey study of 18 HCC patients who underwent TACE was conducted. HRQoL scores were measured using the validated EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-HCC18 questionnaires, 1-2 days before and two weeks after TACE. Baseline clinical data, which included tumor characteristics, Child-Pugh score, and performance status score, were also obtained. Changes in HRQoL scores before and after TACE, and any association of demographic and clinical variables with HRQoL outcomes were assessed. Results: Patients experienced overall decline in their global health status and functional scores with increase in their symptom scores after undergoing TACE. Statistically significant deterioration was observed in global health status (-13.9%), physical functioning (-23.0%), and role functioning (-31.4%). Alcohol users had lower global health status scores at baseline and follow-up, although there was no significant difference in the degree of decline in their post-TACE scores compared with non-alcohol users. Patients with BCLC stage C disease also had lower global health status scores at baseline, although scores were no longer significantly different from patients of other stages on post-TACE follow-up. Patients with BCLC stage B tumor experienced significant decline in their global health status scores. The presence of minimal ascites at baseline was associated with less deterioration in physical function scores after TACE. Largest and significant increases in symptomatology were seen for appetite loss (+41.1%), fever (+30.3%), fatigue (+28.5%), and general pain (+25.1%). Conclusion TACE can negatively affect the HRQoL of Filipino patients in the early phase after treatment, with significant deteriorations in global health status, physical, and role functioning, and increased severity in symptoms, especially appetite loss, fever, fatigue and pain. Knowledge of these changes should be used to improve patient care, compliance, and expectations.
Human ; carcinoma, hepatocellular ; health-related quality of life ; quality of life