Assistant Professor Jesse Jones, M.D., has been tapped by Medtronic to lead UAB in a clinical trial aimed at treating subdural hematomas.

The study is titled “ Embolization of the Middle Meningeal Artery With ONYX™ Liquid Embolic System In the Treatment of Subacute and Chronic Subdural Hematoma.”

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of embolization of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) using the Onyx™ Liquid Embolic System (LES) for treatment of symptomatic subacute or chronic subdural hematoma (SDH).

Whether symptomatic subacute or chronic, a subdural hematoma is a serious condition where blood leaks from damaged vessels under the dura mater, a membrane between the brain and the skull.

Subdural hematoma may cause headache, confusion, vomiting, slurred speech, or a coma immediately or even up to months after a head injury. In some cases, SDH may go undetected as it has not caused obvious symptoms. 

Jones proposes treating SDH through embolization, which is a minimally invasive treatment that blocks abnormal blood vessels or vascular channels, in this case, the middle meningeal artery (MMA) beneath the skull.

Specifically, Jones and other trial experts will use Onyx™ LES to treat these SDHs. Onyx™ LES is a pre-mixed, radiopaque, injectable embolic fluid, according to Medtronic. It essentially occludes the MMA by creating a spongy, coherent substance in the vessel, thanks to its many components working in conjunction with existing cranial fluids.

“This is really a novel way to treat subdural hematomas,” said Jones. “I am proud that we, UAB, were a study site chosen to explore this potential treatment option for patients. I look forward to what we are able to learn from the trial and the impact that it will have on saving more lives affected by SDH.” 

The ongoing EMBOLISE trial will enroll up to 600 participants over the course of two and half years throughout the country. The trial is set to officially conclude by April 2023.

If you are an adult aged 18 years to 90 years with a confirmed diagnosis of subacute or chronic subdural hematoma, reach out to Dr. Jesse Jones to learn more about enrolling in the UAB EMBOLISE trial.

A description of this clinical trial is available here.