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. 2026 Feb;32(1):100-103.
doi: 10.1177/15910199231198909. Epub 2023 Aug 30.

Lidocaine for headache prevention during chronic subdural hematoma embolization

Francesco Diana  1   2 , Michele Romoli  3 , Francesca Ricchetti  4 , Luca Milonia  5 , Andrea Salcuni  4 , Carlo Cirelli  5 , Alberto Di Ruzza  4 , Chiara Gaudino  5 , Marta Iacobucci  5 , Francesco Biraschi  5
Affiliations

Lidocaine for headache prevention during chronic subdural hematoma embolization

Francesco Diana et al. Interv Neuroradiol. 2026 Feb.

Abstract

BackgroundMiddle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) for the management of chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH) with ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) causes an evident patient discomfort due to meningeal nociceptors stimulation. The aim of this study was to assess safety and efficacy of intra-arterial lidocaine (IAL) before MMAE of CSDH with EVOH.MethodsWe analyzed all consecutive patients with bilateral CSDH undergoing MMAE with EVOH. We used a monolateral IAL injection, with casual allocation. We assessed the headache felt by patients during embolization with the visual analog scale (VAS) and compared scores obtained after embolization of both sides. We followed the STROBE guidelines for case-control studies. Paired t-test and χ2 test were used to compare the distribution of variables in IAL vs control group.ResultsBetween September 2021 and March 2023, 32 patients underwent bilateral MMAE with EVOH for a CSDH. Lidocaine treatment resulted in a substantially lower VAS score compared to the control group (median 3 vs 7, p < 0.001), with no substantial side effect. Compliance also benefited from lidocaine administration.ConclusionsIn patients with CSDH undergoing MMAE, IAL seems to reduce pain sensation associated with EVOH injection and to increase patients' compliance during treatment.

Keywords: Chronic subdural hematoma; VAS; endovascular embolization; intra-arterial lidocaine; middle meningeal artery.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
(a and b) Microcatheter in proximal position for lidocaine injection. (c and d) Microcatheter in distal position to inject ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Comparative visual analog scale (VAS) value between intra-arterial lidocaine (IAL) group and control group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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