Surgical treatment of symptomatic vertebral haemangiomas

Preoperative Endovascular Embolisation of the Symptomatic Hemangioma in 7th Thoracic Vertebrae: Case Report

Although, as asymptomatic, they appear in about 10-12% of the worldwide population, vertebrae hemangiomas are symptomatic in about 0.9-1.2% of all the cases.

We showed the case of the symptomatic hemangioma in the 7th thoracic vertebrae in 67 year old patient, that was successfully preoperative embolised. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detected the tumor in the body of 7th vertebrae with mass effect on the anterior aspect of the spinal cord. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) imaging describes this tumor as hemangioma that is in the body of the Th7 vertebrae and in the both pedicules. We performed selective and supraselective spinal angiography which showed pathological vascularisation of the tumor, and then the tumor was embolised. The control angiography detected the reduction of the tumor blood vessels, as a sign of the successful embolisation. Ten days after embolisation, the patient went through corporectomia of the Th7 and the stabilization of the thoracic spine was performed. Intraoperative blood transfusion in our patient was 930 mL, while expected blood transfusion during the surgical intervention without preoperative embolisation is about 1600 mL.

Method of choice in conditions with neurological compressive symptoms caused by vertebral hemangioma is surgery for the decompression of the nerve structures. Embolisation of aggressive vertebral hemangioma is recommended and preoperatively performed for the intraoperative hemorrhage reduction and decreasing of intraoperative complications.

Surgical Management and Adjuvant Therapy for Patients With Neurological Deficits From Vertebral Hemangiomas: A Meta-Analysis

STUDY DESIGN

Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To understand the benefits and limitations of surgical management and adjuvant therapies for patients presenting with neurological deficits from vertebral hemangiomas (VH).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

VH is the most common benign spine tumor but rarely causes symptoms. Patients with back pain alone are treated with conservative management (kyphoplasty and radiation therapy), while those with neurological deficits require complex multi-modal treatment plans.

METHODS

A PubMed literature search for "symptomatic vertebral hemangioma with spinal cord compression" identified 47 articles. From these articles and their references, 19 observational studies on patients who underwent surgery for VH met inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were performed comparing outcomes of the surgical and adjuvant therapies using Stata13 software. For those with insufficient data for meta-analyses, descriptive analyses of variables were completed.

RESULTS

One hundred ninety seven surgical cases of VH with neurologic deficits were identified. Surgery provided a complete remission of symptoms in 84% of patients, however 18% of patients had recurrence of hemangioma. Adjuvant interventions included radiation, embolization, and kyphoplasty. Radiation therapy (XRT) was associated with a lower recurrence rate and an increase in minor transient adverse effects. Preoperative embolization performed in 98 patients was associated with improved symptoms, reduced complications, lower recurrence rate, less blood loss, and higher incidence of pathologic vertebral fractures. Meta-analyses did not yield statistically significant results, likely due to the heterogeneity amongst the studies and small sample sizes, but the results compiled together provide insight on potential benefits of preoperative embolization for symptomatic relief and reduced risk of recurrence with XRT that deserves further study.

CONCLUSION

For patients with neurologic deficits from spinal cord or nerve root compression, surgery provides improvement in symptoms. Recurrence of VH and symptoms refractory to surgery can be further reduced by adjuvant therapies such as embolization, kyphoplasty, and radiation with some unique risks to each therapy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2.

Treatment of Aggressive Vertebral Hemangiomas with Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) Microparticles Embolization, PMMA, and Short Segment Stabilization: Preliminary Results with at Least 5 Years of Follow-up

OBJECTIVE

Vertebral hemangiomas (VHs) are the most common incidental lesions of vertebral body, but they are very challenging to treat if they become symptomatic. Several treatments have been proposed but none was superior to others. The aim of this study is to analyze blood loss and long-term clinical and neurological results of aggressive VHs treated with arterial embolization the day before operation, followed by vertebroplasty, posterior decompression, and short segment stabilization.

METHODS

Ten patients (4 males and 6 females) were treated for aggressive VHs with polyvinyl alcohol microparticles embolization, posterior short segment stabilization, and poly methyl methacrylate. Clinical and neurological outcomes were assessed with visual analog, Nurick, and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scales.

RESULTS

At last follow-up mean, visual analog scale was 1.8 ± 1.3, with a significant difference with preoperative values (P = 0.00018). Neurological deficits persisted in 4 patients (ASIA scale: C in 1 patient [10%], D in 3 patients [30%]), but they improved from baseline in all cases. Also, Nurick scale rating improved in all patients (0 in 3 patients [30%], 1 in 4 patients [40%], 2 in 2 patients [20%], and 3 in the last one [10%]). A statistically significant difference between pre- and postoperative values was observed for both scores (ASIA, P = 0.0102; Nurick, P = 0.026). Relapse of pathology was recorded in 2 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Polyvinyl alcohol microparticles embolization, short segment fixation, and vertebroplasty is an effective treatment option for aggressive VHs, with a fast surgical time, poor blood loss, and improvement of preoperative clinical and neurological outcomes.

Spinal hemangiomas: results of surgical management for local recurrence and mortality in a multicenter study

STUDY DESIGN

Multicenter, ambispective observational study.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify local recurrence and mortality rates after surgical treatment of symptomatic spinal hemangiomas and identify prognostic variables for local disease control.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Spinal hemangiomas are the most common primary tumors of the spine and are generally benign and usually asymptomatic. Because of the rarity of symptomatic spinal hemangiomas, optimal surgical treatment remains unclear.

METHODS

AOSpine Knowledge Forum Tumor Investigators created a multicenter database of primary spinal tumors including demographics, presentation, diagnosis, treatment, survival, and recurrence data. Tumors were classified according to Enneking and Weinstein-Boriani-Biagini. Descriptive statistics were summarized and time to mortality and recurrence was determined.

RESULTS

Between 1996 and 2012, 68 patients (mean age = 51 yr, SD = 16) underwent surgical treatment of a spinal hemangioma. Epidural disease was present in 55% of patients (n = 33). Pain and neurological compromise were presenting symptoms in 82% (n = 54) and 37% (n = 24) of patients, respectively. Preoperative embolization was performed in 35% of patients (n = 23), 10% (n = 7) had adjuvant radiotherapy, and 81% (n = 55) underwent posterior-alone surgery. The local recurrence rate was 3% (n = 2). Mortality secondary to spinal hemangioma was not observed (mean follow-up = 3.9 yr, SD = 3.8).

CONCLUSION

This is the largest multicenter surgical cohort of spinal hemangiomas. Symptomatic spinal hemangiomas are a benign tumor despite frequently presenting with epidural disease and neurological compromise. Thus, formal en bloc resection is not required, and excellent rates of local control and long-term survival can result from aggressive intralesional resection during index surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3.

Surgery in extensive vertebral hemangioma: case report, literature review and a new algorithm proposal

Hemangiomas are benign dysplasias or vascular tumors consisting of vascular spaces lined with endothelium. Nowadays, radiotherapy for vertebral hemangiomas (VHs) is widely accepted as primary treatment for painful lesions. Nevertheless, the role of surgery is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to propose a novel algorithm of treatment about VHs. This is a case report of an extensive VH and a review of the literature. A case of vertebral fracture during radiotherapy at a total dose of 30 Gy given in 10 fractions (treatment time 2 weeks) using a linear accelerator at 15 MV high-energy photons for extensive VH is reported. Using PubMed database, a review of the literature is done. The authors have no study funding sources. The authors have no conflicting financial interests. In the literature, good results in terms of pain and neurological deficits are reported. No cases of vertebral fractures are described. However, there is no consensus regarding the treatment for VHs. Radiotherapy is widely utilized in VHs determining pain. Surgery for VHs determining neurological deficit is also widely accepted. Perhaps, regarding the width of the lesion, no indications are given. We consider it important to make an evaluation before initiating the treatment for the risk of pathologic vertebral fracture, since in radiotherapy, there is no convention regarding structural changes determined in VHs. We propose a new algorithm of treatment. We recommend radiotherapy only for small lesions in which vertebral stability is not concerned. Kyphoplasty can be proposed for asymptomatic patients in which VHs are small and in patients affected by VHs determining pain without spinal canal invasion in which the VH is small. In patients affected by pain without spinal canal invasion but in which the VH is wide or presented with spinal canal invasion and in patients affected by neurological deficits, we propose surgery.