Middle meningeal artery embolization for subdural hematoma: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundMiddle meningeal artery embolization is an emerging neuroendovascular therapy for chronic subdural hematoma. Recently, a number of randomized control trials have been conducted to assess the efficacy of middle meningeal artery embolization to reduce the recurrence or progression of chronic subdural hematoma. MethodsA systematic review will be conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The authors will systematically search MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov (National Library of Medicine) for randomized control trials evaluating middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematoma. A meta-analysis will be undertaken to compare patients undergoing middle meningeal artery embolization and standard care compared to standard care alone; primary effectiveness endpoints will be symptomatic recurrence, radiographic re-accumulation, or reoperation; secondary safety endpoints will be new disabling stroke, myocardial infarction, or death within 30 days. DiscussionThis proposed systematic review and meta-analysis will synthesize and appraise available data regarding middle meningeal artery embolization, a novel neurointerventional therapy. Findings will help clinicians, patients, administrators, policy makers to determine the role of this new treatment and its potential benefits. Systematic review registrationPROSPERO #CRD42024512049