Technical Requirements: DMSO and Radiopacity
The delivery of liquid embolics requires specific technical conditions. Non-adhesive agents like Onyx are dissolved in Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO), a solvent that requires specialized, DMSO-compatible microcatheters to prevent the plastic from melting.
Furthermore, because these agents must be visible during the procedure, they are mixed with radiopaque materials. Older formulations used tantalum powder, which can sometimes cause "streaking" artifacts on later CT scans. Newer agents, such as PHIL (Precipitating Hydrophobic Injectable Liquid), use iodine covalently bound to the polymer, which provides a clearer image and reduces the artifacts that can interfere with future diagnostic imaging.
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