For symptomatic subacute or chronic subdural hematoma (SDH), embolization of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) as an adjunct to surgery reduces the risk for subsequent SDH and the need for surgical drainage, according to a study presented at the American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference. Jared Knopman, MD, and colleagues examined the safety and effectiveness of MMA embolization as an adjunct to conventional treatment for symptomatic subacute or chronic SDH in 400 patients randomly assigned 1:1 to surgery alone or surgery with MMA embolization. Subsequent subdural hematoma within 90 days and the need for surgical drainage occurred in 4.1% of cases with surgery plus embolization and 11.3% of those who underwent surgery alone. Increasing disability and neurological dysfunction were comparable in both groups at 90 days after surgery. Overall, 2% of patients who received embolization had serious adverse events attributed to embolization. The results indicate a nearly threefold reduction in re-operation with surgery plus embolization, a coauthor said in a statement.