T Bas1, F Aparisi, J L Bas. 1. Unidad de Raquis, Hospital de la Ribera, Alzira, Spain.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: The clinical records and radiographs of 18 patients with vertebral hemangiomas treated with ethanol vertebroplasty were reviewed to evaluate the usefulness of this method. OBJECTIVES: To assess, after a mean 2-year follow-up, the complication rate, results, and patient satisfaction with ethanol injection into vertebral hemangioma. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There is controversy about the safety of ethanol injections in the treatment of vertebral hemangiomas. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with vertebral hemangiomas were prepared for ethanol vertebroplasty. Eighteen patients were treated with ethanol vertebroplasty (average age, 49 years; range, 18-77 years) with a mean follow-up of 2 years (range, 1-4 years). The rest of the patients were not treated with ethanol vertebroplasty because in a pretreatment test injection the contrast medium was not retained by the hemangioma. RESULTS: Intralesional injections of alcohol did not cause clinical complications in any of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that intralesional alcohol injections can be considered a safe technique for vertebral hemangiomas. However, a careful technique is required.
STUDY DESIGN: The clinical records and radiographs of 18 patients with vertebral hemangiomas treated with ethanol vertebroplasty were reviewed to evaluate the usefulness of this method. OBJECTIVES: To assess, after a mean 2-year follow-up, the complication rate, results, and patient satisfaction with ethanol injection into vertebral hemangioma. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There is controversy about the safety of ethanol injections in the treatment of vertebral hemangiomas. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with vertebral hemangiomas were prepared for ethanol vertebroplasty. Eighteen patients were treated with ethanol vertebroplasty (average age, 49 years; range, 18-77 years) with a mean follow-up of 2 years (range, 1-4 years). The rest of the patients were not treated with ethanol vertebroplasty because in a pretreatment test injection the contrast medium was not retained by the hemangioma. RESULTS: Intralesional injections of alcohol did not cause clinical complications in any of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that intralesional alcohol injections can be considered a safe technique for vertebral hemangiomas. However, a careful technique is required.
Authors: Andreas F Mavrogenis; Giuseppe Rossi; Teresa Calabrò; Guglielmo Altimari; Eugenio Rimondi; Pietro Ruggieri Journal: Musculoskelet Surg Date: 2012-06-09