Cement leakage in a symptomatic vertebral hemangioma: a case report and review of the literature

Surgical Options for Aggressive Vertebral Hemangiomas：A case series, literature review and treatment recommendations

Purpose

We retrospectively study twenty-nine surgical cases of aggressive vertebral hemangiomas (AVHs) with neurological deficits and extradural compression to determine the optimal surgical treatment strategy for AVHs at a single institution.

Methods

Patients with AVHs with neurological deficits who underwent partial tumor resection plus decompression with or without vertebroplasty (VP), and radiotherapy between 2010 and 2021 were included in this study. Clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes, and follow-up data of the patients were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

Twenty-nine AVH cases with neurological deficits and spinal instability were included in this study and treated surgically. The mean operation time of patients with decompression surgery plus VP (Groupe A) was 215.9 (120-265 min), shorter than that of decompression surgery without VP (Group B) 240.2 (120-320 min). Intraoperative blood loss was 273.3 (100-550 mL) in group A and 635.3 (200-1600 mL) in group B. In addition, a significant reduction in blood loss was observed in group A compared to the group B (p=0.0001). All patients experienced immediate pain relief and improvement in their neurological symptoms. Neurological function was assessed by the Frankel score, ASIA score, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score decreased from 7.4 (4-9) to 1.3 (0-3). Of twenty-nine patients in this study,  only 7% (2/29 patients) showed signs of recurrence.

Conclusion

Decompression plus VP achieve good tumor control and decrease surgical complication. Preoperative vascular embolization and VP can reduce intraoperative bleeding in the treatment of AVH surgery. Moreover, postoperative radiotherapy seems to be a good technique to prevent tumor recurrence.

Clinical evaluation of preoperative embolization, vertebroplasty, and decompression in the treatment of aggressive vertebral hemangiomas

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative embolization and vertebroplasty in the treatment of aggressive hemangioma.

METHODS

A retrospective clinical review of patients diagnosed with aggressive vertebral hemangiomas was conducted. All the patients were assigned to three groups according to the treatment strategies: patients in Group A underwent embolization and decompression with internal fixation, patients in Group B underwent vertebroplasty and decompression with internal fixation, patients in Group C received all three treatments. Clinical indexes were compared within three groups.

RESULTS

There were 16 patients received embolization and decompression (Group A), 19 patients underwent decompression with vertebroplasty (Group B) and 16 patients in Group C. The operative duration of patients in group A (198.33 ± 38.43 min) were less than another two groups (p = 0.001). The intraoperative blood loss of patients in group C was 713.33 ± 165.13 mL, which was significantly less than group A and group B (p = 0.045). Patients in group C exhibited the lowest volume of drainage on POD 1 (178.33 ± 66.76 mL), which showed significant difference compared with group A (368.33 ± 191.15 mL, p = 0.01). There was no significant difference of preoperative and postoperative VAS and JOA score among three groups, as well as drainage on POD 2, total volume and hospital duration.

CONCLUSION

Both embolization and vertebroplasty are efficient and safe measures to reduce blood loss in the surgical treatment of aggressive vertebral hemangiomas, combination of all three methods is also competent.

Challenges regarding rehabilitation treatment in a case of postpartum spastic paraparesis, secondary to a T9 vertebral fracture on the pathologicallybone operated -case report

Introduction. Pregnancy is a well-known risk factor for asymptomatic hemangiomas discovered incidentally, becoming aggressive or symptomatic, most often in the third trimester of pregnancy, related to hemodynamic and endocrine changes that occur during pregnancy. Many patients experience incomplete spontaneous remission after birth. Material and method. We report the case of a 24-year-old woman, who presented for incomplete paraplegia, pain in the spine, instability of walking of the left lower limb, bilateral plantar paresthesia, possible walking with metal support. Results and discussions. The MRI performed identifies T9 vertebral fracture-compression on pathological bone, T10-T12 vertebral hemangiomas. Conclusions. In order to obtain favorable results, the patient benefited from the support and treatment of a multidisciplinary team: neurosurgeons, imagers, physical and rehabilitation medicine doctors and physiotherapists, and represented a real challenge regarding the complexity of the factors involved. Keywords: hemangioma, rehabilitation, multidisciplinary team

Role of Combined Vertebroplasty and Spinal Decompression in the Management of Aggressive Vertebral Hemangiomas

Background:

There are different surgical modalities designed to manage aggressive vertebral hemangioma (VH) that causes neurological symptoms. The selection of the best approach is still controversial. It is crucial to safely achieve neurological recovery with the elimination of the risk of recurrence. The combined use of surgical decompression and vertebroplasty is one of the surgical modalities that are used to manage these cases.

Patients and Methods:

From January 2012 to January 2019, nine patients with aggressive VH were retrospectively included in the study. All of them were operated upon using combined surgical decompression and vertebroplasty. We evaluated all the patients preoperatively, immediate postoperative, 1 month, and 12 months later. Clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed.

Results:

Affected spinal levels were dorsal in six cases and lumbar in three cases. There was no postoperative worsening of the preoperative neurological status. For the cases presented with sciatica, the mean VAS score has dropped from 8.33 preoperatively to 2.67 postoperatively. One month later, all of them are free from the radicular pain. For the cases presented with myelopathy, they regain their motor power in both lower limbs over a period of 4 weeks with a mean Nurick grade of 1.17. The postoperative radiological studies revealed near total occlusion of the VH with the maintenance of the vertebral body height. No clinical or radiological signs of spinal instability or recurrence are observed over the period of follow-up.

Conclusions:

The combined use of surgical decompression and vertebroplasty is considered a safe and effective modality in the management of aggressive VHs.

AGGRESSIVE VERTEBRAL HEMANGIOMAS – CASE SERIES AND LITERATURE REVIEW

ABSTRACT Objectives To present a series of aggressive hemangiomas of the institution, with a review of the management options described in the literature. Methods This is a retrospective survey of aggressive vertebral hemangiomas treated by the service in the last 10 years, with histological confirmation of the diagnosis and a minimum follow-up of 1 year. The case analysis and literature review were conducted with emphasis on treatment options for these injuries. Results Seven cases were found, three with pain and four with severe neurological deficits. Two patients were treated with open decompression, one with open decompression and cementation, one with open decompression and arthrodesis, one with biopsy and cementation, one with percutaneous biopsy, and one with open biopsy followed by decompression surgery. All patients underwent radiotherapy. There was a significant regression of presentation deficits, but one patient developed an irreversible deficit during treatment. There were no recurrences or late complications in the follow-up period. Conclusions Surgical decompression in patients with significant neurological deficit is a point of consensus in the literature. Subtotal resection followed by radiation therapy was effective in treating deficits and controlling pathology. Cases manifesting pain only can be managed with minimally invasive techniques, whether or not they are followed by radiotherapy. Level of evidence IV; Therapeutic study of case series.

Surgical management of aggressive hemangiomas of the spine

Our objective is to describe the surgical management and outcomes following surgical intervention for aggressive spine hemangiomas. Patients from 2005 to 2018 with an aggressive hemangioma of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine and sacrum treated surgically at a tertiary referral academic medical center were included in this study. The hospital pathology department database was used to identify patients with a diagnosis of aggressive hemangioma. Patient demographics, medical history, operative procedure, adjunct treatment, early and late complications, and recurrence were analyzed using the Fischer exact test with significance set at p < 0.05 Ten patients met inclusion criteria for the study. The average follow up was 11 months. Eight out of ten patients had aggressive hemangioma of the thoracic spine. Seven of the ten patients presented with back or leg pain. The most common surgery was laminectomy at the site of the lesion (70%). 40% of patients underwent a spinal fusion, with two of these patients receiving concurrent intra-operative vertebroplasty. Three patients underwent post-operative radiation therapy. Five complications were noted among three individuals. There were three perioperative complications, deep venous thrombosis, renal insufficiency, one surgical site infection, and two postoperative complications, both revisions. There were no recurrences. Surgical intervention for aggressive spine hemangiomas is an effective treatment with relatively low complication and recurrence rates.

Surgical treatment of aggressive vertebral hemangiomas

OBJECTIVE Vertebral hemangiomas are common tumors that are benign and generally asymptomatic. Occasionally these lesions can exhibit aggressive features such as bony expansion and erosion into the epidural space resulting in neurological symptoms. Surgery is often recommended in these cases, especially if symptoms are severe or rapidly progressive. Some surgeons perform decompression alone, others perform gross-total resection, while others perform en bloc resection. Radiation, embolization, vertebroplasty, and ethanol injection have also been used in combination with surgery. Despite the variety of available treatment options, the optimal management strategy is unclear because aggressive vertebral hemangiomas are uncommon lesions, making it difficult to perform large trials. For this reason, the authors chose instead to report their institutional experience along with a comprehensive review of the literature. METHODS A departmental database was searched for patients with a pathological diagnosis of "hemangioma" between 2008 and 2015. Medical records were reviewed to identify patients with aggressive vertebral hemangiomas, and these cases were reviewed in detail. RESULTS Five patients were identified who underwent surgery for treatment of aggressive vertebral hemangiomas during the specified time period. There were 2 lumbar and 3 thoracic lesions. One patient underwent en bloc spondylectomy, 2 patients had piecemeal gross-total resection, and the remaining 2 had subtotal tumor resection. Intraoperative vertebroplasty was used in 3 cases to augment the anterior column or to obliterate residual tumor. Adjuvant radiation was used in 1 case where there was residual tumor as well. The patient who underwent en bloc spondylectomy experienced several postoperative complications requiring additional medical care and reoperation. At an average follow-up of 31 months (range 3-65 months), no patient had any recurrence of disease and all were clinically asymptomatic, except the patient who underwent en bloc resection who continued to have back pain. CONCLUSIONS Gross-total resection or subtotal resection in combination with vertebroplasty or adjuvant radiation therapy to treat residual tumor seems sufficient in the treatment of aggressive vertebral hemangiomas. En bloc resection appears to provide a similar oncological benefit, but it carries higher morbidity to the patient.

A case report of spondylectomy with circumference reconstruction for aggressive vertebral hemangioma covering the whole cervical spine (C4) with progressive spinal disorder

PURPOSE

To describe the surgical experience of spondylectomy and spinal reconstruction for aggressive vertebral hemangioma (VH) induced at the C4 vertebra. No reports have described surgical strategy in cases covering an entire cervical vertebra presenting with progressive myelopathy.

METHODS

A 28-year-old man presented with rapidly progressing skilled motor dysfunction and gait disorder. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was 6. Radiography showed a honeycomb appearance for the entire circumference of the C4 vertebra. Spinal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed vertebral tumor with extraosseous extension causing spinal cord compression. Results of diagnostic imaging were strongly suggestive of VH. Transarterial embolization of the spinal body branch was performed first to decrease intraoperative bleeding, followed by cervical posterior fixation to stabilize the unstable segment and excision biopsy to obtain a definitive diagnosis. After definitive diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma, two-stage surgery (anterior and posterior) was performed to complete total spondylectomy and 360° spinal reconstruction.

RESULTS

Despite multiple operations, JOA scores were 8.5 after posterior fixation, 10.5 after anterior surgery, 11 after final surgery and 16 on postoperative day 90. The patient acquired excellent clinical results without complications and returned to society.

CONCLUSIONS

The present three-stage surgery comprising fixation, biopsy, and final spondylectomy with circumferential fusion from anterior and posterior approaches may offer a useful choice for aggressive VH covering the entire cervical spine with rapidly progressive myelopathy.

Lumbar vertebral hemangioma mimicking lateral spinal canal stenosis: case report and review of literature

Context Hemangiomas are the commonest benign tumors of the spine. Most occur in the thoracolumbar spine and the majority are asymptomatic. Rarely, hemangiomas cause symptoms through epidural expansion of the involved vertebra, resulting in spinal canal stenosis, spontaneous epidural hemorrhage, and pathological burst fracture. Findings We report a rare case of a 73-year-old woman, who had been treated for two months for degenerative neurogenic claudication. On admission, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic scans revealed a hemangioma of the third lumbar vertebra protruding to the epidural space producing lateral spinal stenosis and ipsilateral nerve root compression. The patient underwent successful right hemilaminectomy for decompression of the nerve root, balloon kyphoplasty with poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) and pedicle screw segmental stabilization. Postoperative course was uneventful. Conclusion In the elderly, this rare presentation of spinal stenosis due to hemangiomas may be encountered. Decompression and vertebral augmentation by means balloon kyphoplasty with PMMA plus segmental pedicle screw fixation is recommended.

Management of cement vertebroplasty in the treatment of vertebral hemangioma

BACKGROUND

The vertebral hemangiomas are benign vascular lesions occurring in spine. Although uncommon, symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas can be painful and can limit daily activities. A number of methods have been used in the treatment of symptomatic and aggressive vertebral hemangioma, but none of them is optimal. Treatment with cement vertebroplasty showed very good results. This study aims to illustrate the validity of the treatment with cement vertebroplasty in patients with painful vertebral hemangiomas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2000 to January 2007, 24 patients were treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty because of hemangioma: 16 thoracic, 8 lumbar. There were 11 males and 13 females. The average age at the time of surgery was 48 years. All the patients complained of a pain syndrome resistant to continuing medication. All patients underwent X-ray examination, CT-scan and MR of the involved level preoperatively. A unipedicular approach under fluoroscopic guidance has been performed in all patients. All procedures have been carried out under the local anesthesia. The mean follow-up was 5.8 years.

RESULTS

In all the patients a successful outcome has been observed with a complete resolution of pain symptom. Extravertebral vascular cement leakage has been observed in 3 patients, without any clinical radicular syndrome onset due to the epidural diffusion. Clinical and radiological follow-up showed stability of the treatment and absence of pain in all patients.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous treatment with vertebroplasty for symptomatic vertebral hemangiomas is a valuable, less-invasive, and a quick method that allows a complete and enduring resolution of the painful vertebral symptoms without findings of the vertebral body's fracture.

Lumbar vertebral haemangioma causing pathological fracture, epidural haemorrhage, and cord compression: a case report and review of literature

CONTEXT

Vertebral haemangiomas are recognized to be one of the commonest benign tumours of the vertebral column, occurring mostly in the thoracic spine. The vast majority of these are asymptomatic. Infrequently, these can turn symptomatic and cause neurological deficit (cord compression) through any of four reported mechanisms: (1) epidural extension; (2) expansion of the involved vertebra(e) causing spinal canal stenosis; (3) spontaneous epidural haemorrhage; (4) pathological burst fracture. Thoracic haemangiomas have been reported to be more likely to produce cord compression than lumbar haemangiomas.

FINDINGS

A forty-nine year old male with acute onset spinal cord compression from a pathological fracture in a first lumbar vertebral haemangioma. An MRI delineated the haemangioma and extent of bleeding that caused the cord compression. These were confirmed during surgery and the haematoma was evacuated. The spine was instrumented from T12 to L2, and a cement vertebroplasty was performed intra-operatively. Written consent for publication was obtained from the patient.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The junctional location of the first lumbar vertebra, and the structural weakness from normal bone being replaced by the haemangioma, probably caused it to fracture under axial loading. This pathological fracture caused bleeding from the vascularized bone, resulting in cord compression.