Preoperative devascularization of a circumferential osteogenic metastasis to the upper cervical spine by direct percutaneous needle puncture: a technical note.

Direct percutaneous needle puncture (DPNP) for presurgical devascularization of head and neck as well as skull base tumours is an established, yet not widespread method. We present a case of a large and highly vascularized metastasis with partial destruction of the first two cervical vertebrae and encasement of the spinal cord that was successfully treated by DPNP for preoperative devascularization after an attempted endovascular embolization had failed. The lesion was safely and effectively devascularized, which facilitated the surgical removal. The case presented illustrates the technique and furthermore demonstrates its value.