Abstract: Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and the clinical efficacy of preoperative embolization for miningiomas. Methods Fifty-eight patients with meningioma were examined by DSA, and preoperative embolization was performed in patients whose miningiomas were supplied predominantly by the external carotid artery (ECA). Results In 43 patients, the meningiomas was exclusively or predominantly supplied by ECA, and the feeding arteries were embolized with particles of 250-350 μm through catherization of ECA. The blood supply of the tumor in 31 patients was completely blocked, and partial occlusion through embolization was performed in 12 patients. No complications in relation to the embolization occurred. Fifty-three patients underwent total removal of the meningiomas and the others had partial removal 1-7 days following DSA and embolization, with tumor-associated intraoperative hemorrhage of 600 ml on average. Conclusion DSA has important diagnostic value for meningiomas, and preoperative embolization can be safe and effective to reduce bleeding, shorten the operation time and prevent postoperative complications.