Interventional management of hypervascular osseous metastasis: role of embolotherapy before orthopedic tumor resection and bone stabilization. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2008;191:W240-W247. [PMID: 19020210 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.07.4037]

Palliative Care Needs of Patients with Musculoskeletal Malignancies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review aims to assess the literature regarding current treatment options for the palliative care of patients with advanced musculoskeletal malignancies whether primary or metastatic.

RECENT FINDINGS

The inclusion of specialized palliative care physicians, in conjunction with surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists, and mental health professionals, results in better control of end-of-life symptoms in both children and adults with terminal musculoskeletal malignancies. The palliative care of patients with musculoskeletal malignancies requires a multi-disciplinary team and benefits from specialized palliative care physicians. The unique impacts of musculoskeletal malignancies on ambulation and independence creates additional mental and physical burdens on patients and care-takers alike. Palliative care should focus on preserving ambulatory function and patient independence, in addition to managing chronic pain and other end-of-life symptoms common to these malignancies.

Preoperative Embolization of Vertebral Metastasis: Comprehensive Review of the Literature

The aim of this review is to determine the safety and efficacy of pre-operative spinal metastases embolization procedures. Two reviewers independently conducted the literature search (on MEDLINE databases), including in the review of all the studies that used pre-operative TAE to treat spinal metastases. Twelve articles on pre-operative spinal metastases embolization were selected. Most of the studies demonstrated the low complication rate of pre-operative embolization. The most important study strength is that there are very few reviews in the literature with the setting on pre-operative vertebral metastases embolization. A limitation of the review is that the studies included were predominately retrospective case-control studies, increasing the risk of bias in the primary data. Plus, divergent surgical and embolization procedures were performed in the studies, causing a potential risk of bias in the pooled results. We can conclude that preoperative arterial embolization of vertebral metastases is a safe, well-tolerated technique that reduces surgical blood loss and facilitates surgical tumor resection.

Embolization of Renal Cell Carcinoma Skeletal Metastases Preceding Orthopedic Surgery

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of renal malignancy in adults. Bone is a major site of metastatic disease from RCC. Osseous metastatic disease from RCC is often seen in the spine, pelvis, and femur, and is usually hypervascular in nature like its primary tumor source. This can cause significant pain, reduced function, pathological fracture, nerve compression, and decreased quality of life during cancer treatment and disease course. Surgical treatments for pathological fracture of the femur include resection, reconstruction, and stabilization with arthroplasty or placement of an intramedullary nail. This series looks at three cases of renal cell carcinoma metastases to the hip with pre-procedural embolization and orthopedic stabilization. Interventional radiology embolization of the arterial supply to the metastatic hypervascular bone lesions can reduce intraoperative blood loss and associated complications.

Transarterial Embolization of Bone Metastases

Embolization of bone metastases is most commonly performed for hypervascular tumors prior to surgical resection. When employed in this fashion embolization can significantly decrease perioperative hemorrhage and improve surgical outcomes. In addition, embolization of bone metastases may lead to local tumor control and decreased tumoral associate bone pain. Careful techniques and choice of embolic material are required when performing embolization of bone lesions to ensure low procedural complications and high rates of clinical success.⁴ The indications, technical considerations, and complications associated with embolization of metastatic hypervascular bone lesions will be discussed in this review with subsequent case examples.

Interventional Radiology in the Management of Metastases and Bone Tumors

Interventional Radiology (IR) has experienced an exponential growth in recent years. Technological advances of the last decades have made it possible to use new treatments on a larger scale, with good results in terms of safety and effectiveness. In musculoskeletal field, painful bone metastases are the most common target of IR palliative treatments; however, in selected cases of bone metastases, IR may play a curative role, also in combination with other techniques (surgery, radiation and oncology therapies, etc.). Primary malignant bone tumors are extremely rare compared with secondary bone lesions: osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma are the most common; however, the role of interventional radiology in this fiels is marginal. In this review, the main techniques used in interventional radiology were examined, and advantages and limitations illustrated. Techniques of ablation (Radiofrequency, Microwaves, Cryoablation as also magnetic resonance imaging-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound), embolization, and Cementoplasty will be described. The techniques of ablation work by destruction of pathological tissue by thermal energy (by an increase of temperature up to 90 °C with the exception of the Cryoablation that works by freezing the tissue up to -40 °C). Embolization creates an ischemic necrosis by the occlusion of the arterial vessels that feed the tumor. Finally, cementoplasty has the aim of strengthening bone segment weakened by the growth of pathological tissue through the injection of cement. The results of the treatments performed so far were also assessed and presented focused the attention on the management of bone metastasis.

Multidisciplinary management of solitary hypervascular metastatic recurrence of renal cell carcinoma presenting with pathological femoral fracture

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) frequently presents with osseous metastasis, predominantly lytic and prone to pathological fracture. The metastatic lesion in the extremity presents with local swelling, pain and immobility due to pathological fracture. The solitary or oligometastatic lesions should be treated with curative intent, which can help the patient to lead a more prolonged and disability-free life. The RCCs and their metastases are hypervascular with an exuberant arterial supply. Surgery can lead to uncontrolled life-threatening haemorrhage. Preoperative transarterial embolisation reduces tumour vascularity significantly and reduces intraoperative blood loss. We present a 46-year-old male patient with solitary hypervascular metastatic recurrence of RCC with a pathological femoral fracture with an infeasible initial surgery due to profuse haemorrhage. He was successfully treated by preoperative transarterial embolisation, followed by surgical resection and implantation of a megaprosthesis. Multidisciplinary management reduces patient morbidity and mortality with successful treatment in solitary hypervascular metastasis from RCC.

Current Overview of Treatment for Metastatic Bone Disease

The number of patients with bone metastasis increases as medical management and surgery improve the overall survival of patients with cancer. Bone metastasis can cause skeletal complications, including bone pain, pathological fractures, spinal cord or nerve root compression, and hypercalcemia. Before initiation of treatment for bone metastasis, it is important to exclude primary bone malignancy, which would require a completely different therapeutic approach. It is essential to select surgical methods considering the patient’s prognosis, quality of life, postoperative function, and risk of postoperative complications. Therefore, bone metastasis treatment requires a multidisciplinary team approach, including radiologists, oncologists, and orthopedic surgeons. Recently, many novel palliative treatment options have emerged for bone metastases, such as stereotactic body radiation therapy, radiopharmaceuticals, vertebroplasty, minimally invasive spine stabilization with percutaneous pedicle screws, acetabuloplasty, embolization, thermal ablation techniques, electrochemotherapy, and high-intensity focused ultrasound. These techniques are beneficial for patients who may not benefit from surgery or radiotherapy.

Perioperative Blood Loss after Preoperative Prostatic Artery Embolization in Patients Undergoing Simple Prostatectomy: A Propensity Score‒Matched Study

PURPOSE

To assess perioperative blood loss following prostatic artery embolization (PAE) before surgery in patients undergoing simple prostatectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was used to identify 63 patients (mean age, 65.3 ± 8.0 years) with prostatic hypertrophy and severe lower urinary tract symptoms who underwent prostatectomy from September 2014 to December 2019, 18 (28.5%) of whom underwent PAE before surgery. Demographic data, pertinent laboratory results, procedural or operative information, hospital course details, and pathology reports were obtained. A 2:1 propensity score‒matching analysis was performed to compare intraoperative blood loss in patients who underwent prostatectomy alone with intraoperative blood loss in those who first underwent bilateral PAE before surgery.

RESULTS

Sixteen (89%) of the 18 patients underwent bilateral PAE before surgery. Thirty-two patients who underwent prostatectomy without embolization before surgery were selected for the 2:1 propensity score‒matched analysis based on age, race, surgery type, prostate gland size, and comorbidities. The mean estimated blood loss (EBL) for prostatectomy alone was 545 ± 380 mL (mean ± standard deviation). There was a statistically significant reduction in the EBL for patients who underwent bilateral PAE (303 ± 227 mL, P < .01). The operative time was also significantly decreased for patients who underwent PAE before surgery (P < .05). For patients who underwent PAE, there were no complications related to the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Bilateral PAE before surgery appears to be safe and may be effective in reducing perioperative bleeding and operative time.

Perioperative blood loss after embolization of hypervascular musculoskeletal tumors outside of the spine: A single-center ten year experience and systematic review of the literature

PURPOSE

To evaluate outcomes following trans-arterial embolization of hypervascular appendicular bony tumors in patients undergoing orthopedic resection by performing a systematic review including data from the authors' institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From April 2008 to August 2018, 73 patients (59 males, mean age 58.1 years) with musculoskeletal tumors presented for embolization for preoperative devascularization prior to orthopedic surgery. A retrospective chart review was performed to identify demographic, procedural and surgical data. A systematic review of the Pubmed, Medline, and Web of Science databases was performed to identify studies in which pre-operative embolization was performed of appendicular MSK tumors, and with measurements of estimated blood loss. All the variables listed above were recorded. A patient level analysis was performed to determine average estimated blood loss.

RESULTS

58 patients (47 men, 11 women, range 21-84 years) were included in our institutional analysis. The median EBL was 500 mL (range 100-3000). There was no difference in EBL between RCC (719.6 ± 626.1) and non-RCC groups (855.6 ± 657.5); p = 0.44. The median intra-operative transfusion requirement was 1.0 unit (range 0-8 ± 2.06). From 1984 to 2015, 9 studies were identified that provided data for a total of 118 patients (46 males, 42 females, range 10-82 years). The mean and median post-surgical EBL across all patients was 976.9 ± 78.5 (SE) and 725 mL (range 10-7000), respectively. There were no complications related to non-target embolization.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative trans-arterial embolization of hypervascular MSK neoplasms appears to be safe and effective in minimizing peri- and post-operative bleeding while keeping transfusion requirements low.

Pre-Operative Embolisation of Musculoskeletal Tumours - A Single Centre Experience

Introduction

The management of musculoskeletal tumours is complex and requires a multi-disciplinary approach. Preoperative embolisation can be often employed to reduce intra-operative blood loss and complication rates from surgery. We report our experience with the safety, technical success and efficacy of pre-operative embolisation in musculoskeletal tumours.

Materials and Methods

Thirteen consecutive patients who underwent pre-operative embolisation of a musculoskeletal tumour followed by surgical intervention at our institution from May 2012 to January 2016 were enrolled into the study. Patient demographics, tumour characteristics, embolisation techniques and type of surgery were recorded. Technical success of embolisation, amount of blood loss during surgery and transfusion requirements were estimated.

Results

There were five female and eight male patients who underwent pre-operative embolisation during the study period. The age ranged between 16 to 68 years, and the median age was 54. Technical success was achieved in all patients. Mean intra-operative blood loss was 1403ml, with a range of 150ml to 6900ml. Eight patients (62%) required intra-operative blood products of packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma. No major complications occurred during embolisation.

Conclusion

Pre-operative trans-arterial embolisation is feasible and safe for a variety of large and hypervascular musculoskeletal tumours. Our small series suggests that preoperative embolisation could contribute to the reduction of the intra-operative and post-operative blood product transfusion. It should be considered as a pre-operative adjunct for major tumour resections with a high risk of bleeding. The use of the haemoglobin gap complemented the assessment of perioperative blood loss.

Preoperative embolization in surgical treatment of long bone metastasis: a systematic literature review

Surgery of long bone metastases is associated with a significant risk of perioperative blood loss, which may necessitate blood transfusion.

Successful embolization (> 70% obliteration of vascularity) can be achieved in 36–75% of cases.

The reported rate of embolization-related complications is 0–9%.

Three out of six level III evidence studies showed a reduction in perioperative blood loss and/or blood transfusion requirement after preoperative embolization of renal cell carcinoma metastasis in long bones; three out of six studies did not.

One level III evidence study did not show a reduction in perioperative blood loss and/or transfusion requirement after preoperative embolization of hepatocellular carcinoma metastases in long bones.

There were no studies found that support preoperative embolization of thyroid metastases or other frequent long bone metastases (e.g. mamma carcinoma, lung carcinoma, or prostate carcinoma).

The clinical level of evidence of the studies found is low and randomized studies taking into account primary tumour, location of metastases and type of surgery are therefore desired.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:17-25. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190013

[Radiotherapy of oligometastases: Sequences and interactions with systemic therapies, example of kidney cancer]

This article is a review of the literature that aims to clarify the place of systemic and locoregional treatments, with a focus on radiotherapy and surgery in the management of patients with oligometastatic kidney cancer. We have selected articles of interest published in Medline indexed journals. We have also analysed the related guidelines: National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) 2019, European Association of Urology (EAU) 2019, European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2019, Association française d'urologie (Afu) 2018 as well as some abstracts of international congresses. The main treatments evaluated were surgery and radiotherapy. We defined the different scenarios conventionally encountered in clinical practice. The evolution of systemic therapies (increased overall survival and response rate) is likely to increase the number of patients potentially accessible to locoregional treatments. The complete analysis of the literature underlines the place of locoregional treatments whatever the scenarios mentioned. Data on stereotactic radiotherapy found a local control rate consistently above 70% in all studies with a maintained response and positive impact on overall survival and progression-free survival. The improvement of overall survival by sequential use of the various therapeutic classes confirms the need for optimization of locoregional treatments in the model of oligometastatic kidney cancer. The dogma of radioresistance must definitely be set aside with current irradiation techniques.

Update on Preoperative Embolization of Bone Metastases

Management of patients with bone metastasis is complex and should include different specialties. Goals of therapy should be identified for each individual patient prior to the start of treatment. Preoperative embolization has generally been considered a safe and effective means of reducing intraoperative blood loss with recent studies and advances in technique reported. Update on indications, contraindications, technique, and efficacy, as well as prognostic factors and complications of preoperative embolization of bone metastases will be reviewed. New trends such as transradial arterial access and usage of liquid embolic agents will be discussed. Large tumor size, increased preprocedural tumor vascularity, longer embolization-to-surgery interval, and radical surgical procedures are associated with greater intraoperative blood loss and prolonged operative time. An accurate, noninvasive method to evaluate tumor vascularity prior to angiography is needed to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from preoperative embolization. Particular attention will be paid to skeletal metastases and spinal metastases as each has its own set of complexity.

Assessing Vascularity of Osseous Spinal Metastases with Dual-Energy CT-DSA: A Pilot Study Compared with Catheter Angiography

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Spine debulking surgery in patients with hypervascular spinal metastasis is associated with massive intraoperative blood loss, but currently, the vascularity of tumor is determined by invasive conventional angiography or dynamic contrast MR imaging. We aimed to investigate the usefulness of noninvasive dual-energy CT-DSA, comparing it with conventional angiography in evaluating the vascularity of spinal metastasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study from January to December 2018. A total of 15 patients with spinal metastasis undergoing dual-energy CT, conventional DSA, and subsequent debulking surgery were included. CT-DSA images were produced after rigid-body registration and subtraction between CT phases. Qualitative and quantitative assessments of tumor vascularity were conducted. Correlations between CT-DSA and conventional DSA results were evaluated using the Spearman coefficient. The mean enhancement in the estimated tumor volume and surgical blood loss was compared between hypervascular and nonhypervascular groups using the Wilcoxon rank sum test.

RESULTS

The CT-DSA and DSA results were strongly correlated, with ρ = 0.87 (P < .001). The DSA and the quantitative enhancement index also showed a strong correlation with ρ = 0.83 (P < .001). Wilcoxon rank sum testing between hypervascular and nonhypervascular CT-DSA groups showed a difference in enhancement indices (P = .0003). The blood loss between the hypervascular and nonhypervascular groups was nonsignificant (P = .09).

CONCLUSIONS

Dual-energy CT-DSA correlates well with conventional DSA in assessing the vascularity of spinal metastasis. It may serve as a noninvasive preoperative evaluation option before debulking surgery.

RETRACTED: Recommandations françaises du Comité de Cancérologie de l’AFU – Actualisation 2018–2020 : prise en charge du cancer du reinFrench ccAFU guidelines – Update 2018–2020: Management of kidney cancer

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). Cet article est retiré de la publication à la demande des auteurs car ils ont apporté des modifications significatives sur des points scientifiques après la publication de la première version des recommandations. Le nouvel article est disponible à cette adresse: DOI:10.1016/j.purol.2019.01.004. C’est cette nouvelle version qui doit être utilisée pour citer l’article. This article has been retracted at the request of the authors, as it is not based on the definitive version of the text because some scientific data has been corrected since the first issue was published. The replacement has been published at the DOI:10.1016/j.purol.2019.01.004. That newer version of the text should be used when citing the article.

Not All Patients Undergoing Stabilization of Impending Pathologic Fractures for Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastases to the Femur Need Preoperative Embolization

BACKGROUND

Preoperative transarterial embolization has been utilized in the surgical treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma of the femur to decrease perioperative blood loss. However, few studies have documented its efficacy in decreasing the proportion of patients receiving transfusions in the setting of prophylactic treatment of impending pathologic femur fractures.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

In a population of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma of the femur who underwent prophylactic fixation, the purpose of this study was to quantify and compare the proportion of patients who received at least one transfused unit of blood between a group treated with preoperative embolization and a group without preoperative embolization.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed using a Medicare claims-based database. International Classification of Diseases, 9 Revision and Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to identify 1285 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma of the femur who underwent prophylactic fixation. The proportion of patients who received one or more blood transfusions was compared between 135 patients who underwent preoperative embolization and a group of 1150 concurrent control patients who did not undergo preoperative embolization. The control group was older than the embolization group, with 44% of these patients > 75 years old and 33% of the embolization group > 75 years. There was no difference in the female:male ratio between groups. Statistical comparisons of outcomes related to transfusion percentages were performed using Pearson chi square analysis with p < 0.05 considered significant. With the numbers available, we had 80% power to detect a difference in the percentage of patients transfused of 11% between the study groups at α = 0.05.

RESULTS

No difference in transfusion percentage was observed between preoperative transarterial embolization (41 of 135 [30%]) and the control group (359 of 1150 [31%]; relative risk, 0.973; 95% confidence interval, 0.743-1.274; p = 0.84). The percentage of all patients who received a transfusion was 31% (400 of 1285).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative embolization may not be mandatory in the prophylactic treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma of the femur, as demonstrated by the 69% of patients who received zero units of blood despite not receiving embolization. However, assessment of the efficacy of embolization in decreasing blood loss in the current study is limited as a result of biases associated with the database design of the study; the decision of whether to send a patient for embolization should be made on a case-by-case basis. The current study does not identify specific risk factors that should factor into this decision and underscores the need for further research in this regard. A plausible future research design to account for the low numbers and selection bias that limited the current study as well as the existing studies might be a multicenter, retrospective case-control study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study.

Cone-beam computed tomography with automated bone subtraction in preoperative embolization for pelvic bone tumors

PURPOSE

To evaluate the usefulness of cone-beam computed tomography with automated bone subtraction (CBCT-ABS) in the preoperative embolization of hypervascular tumors located in the pelvic bone.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 26 patients with pelvic bone tumors who underwent preoperative embolization between January 2014 and October 2016. A CBCT-ABS scan was taken in a total of 17 patients (CBCT-ABS group), and only a series of digital subtraction angiographies (DSAs) was taken in the remaining 9 patients (DSA group). The percent devascularization, number of angiographic runs, total dose-area product (DAP), fluoroscopy time, interventional procedure time, operative time, and estimated blood loss were compared between the two groups using Mann-Whitney test.

RESULTS

The percent devascularization, interventional procedure time, fluoroscopy time, operative time, and estimated blood loss were not statistically different between the two groups (p > 0.05). On the other hand, the number of angiographic runs in the CBCT-ABS group was significantly lower than that in the DSA group (p = 0.029). The total DAP of the CBCT-ABS group (mean, 17700.7 μGym2) was higher than that of the DSA group (mean, 8939.4 μGym2) (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of CBCT-ABS during the preoperative embolization of pelvic bone tumors significantly reduces the number of angiographic runs at the cost of an increased radiation dose.

Modern Palliative Treatments for Metastatic Bone Disease: Awareness of Advantages, Disadvantages, and Guidance

BACKGROUND

Metastatic disease is the most common malignancy of the bone. Prostate, breast, lung, kidney, and thyroid cancer account for 80% of skeletal metastases. Bone metastases are associated with significant skeletal morbidity including severe bone pain, pathologic fractures, spinal cord or nerve roots compression, and malignant hypercalcemia. These events compromise greatly the quality of life of the patients. The treatment of cancer patients with bone metastases is mostly aimed at palliation.

OBJECTIVE

This article aims to present these palliative treatments for the patients with bone metastases, summarize the clinical applications, and review the techniques and results.

METHODS

It gives an extensive overview of the possibilities of palliation in patients with metastatic cancer to the bone.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Currently, modern treatments are available for the palliative management of patients with metastatic bone disease. These include modern radiation therapy, chemotherapy, embolization, electrochemotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, and high-intensity focused ultrasound. As such it is of interest for all physicians with no experience with these developments to make palliative procedures safer and more reliable.

Preoperative embolization of primary bone tumors: A case control study

AIM: To study the safety and effectiveness of preoperative embolization of primary bone tumors in relation to intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion volume and surgical time.

METHODS: Thirty-three patients underwent preoperative embolization of primary tumors of extremities, hip or vertebrae before resection and stabilization. The primary osseous tumors included giant cell tumors, aneurysmal bone cyst, osteoblastoma, chondroblastoma and chondrosarcoma. Twenty-six patients were included for the statistical analysis (embolization group) as they were operated within 0-48 h within preoperative embolization. A control group (non-embolization group, n = 28) with bone tumor having similar histological diagnosis and operated without embolization was retrieved from hospital record for statistical comparison.

RESULTS: The mean intraoperative blood loss was 1300 mL (250-2900 mL), the mean intraoperative blood transfusion was 700 mL (0-1400 mL) and the mean surgical time was 221 ± 76.7 min for embolization group (group I, n = 26). Non-embolization group (group II, n = 28), the mean intraoperative blood loss was 1800 mL (800-6000 mL), the mean intraoperative blood transfusion was 1400 mL (700-8400 mL) and the mean surgical time was 250 ± 69.7 min. On comparison, statistically significant (P < 0.001) difference was found between embolisation group and non-embolisation group for the amount of blood loss and requirement of blood transfusion. There was no statistical difference between the two groups for the surgical time. No patients developed any angiography or embolization related complications.

CONCLUSION: Preoperative embolization of bone tumors is a safe and effective adjunct to the surgical management of primary bone tumors that leads to reduction in intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion volume.

Preoperative embolization for bone metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma

Preoperative transcatheter arterial embolization for hypervascular bone tumors is now widely accepted as a safe and effective procedure for reducing intraoperative blood loss and surgical morbidity. However, few studies have reported the use of preoperative transcatheter arterial embolization for nonspine bone metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of preoperative embolization on blood loss and clinical outcomes in surgery for nonspine bone metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma. Seventy-five patients with metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma to the pelvis and extremities were reviewed retrospectively. The study population consisted of 62 men and 13 women, with a mean age of 64.6 years (range, 40.0-80.1). The average follow-up period was 8.2 months (range, 0.3-66.1). Twenty-two patients underwent transcatheter arterial embolization for preoperative devascularization (group A), and 53 patients underwent operative treatment only (group B). The proportion of pelvis metastases was significantly higher (P<.001) and operative time was longer (P=.006) in group A than in group B. However, a significantly smaller decrease in hemoglobin level before and after surgery was seen in group A (P=.017). No significant differences were seen in intraoperative estimated blood loss, perioperative hemoglobin level, number of allogeneic transfusions, or length of hospitalization between the 2 groups. Preoperative transcatheter arterial embolization is an effective means to reduce bleeding during surgery for nonspine metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma. In general, surgical procedures that included transcatheter arterial embolization took longer and were more extensive.

Embolization of hypervascular bone metastases reduces intraoperative blood loss: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Small case series suggest that preoperative transcatheter arterial embolization minimizes bleeding and facilitates surgery for hypervascular metastatic bone tumors. However, control groups would make our confidence in clinical recommendations stronger, but small patient numbers make prospective trials difficult to conduct on this topic.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

In this case-control study, we asked whether (1) patients who undergo embolization have less estimated blood loss and/or shorter operative time than patients who do not have embolization; (2) larger tumor size, greater initial tumor vascularity, and longer interval from embolization to surgery are associated with greater estimated blood loss and packed red blood cell transfusion volume; and (3) embolization does not affect renal function in patients with normal preoperative renal function.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed records of patients with hypervascular bone metastases treated at our institution between 1998 and 2008. Twenty-seven patients with renal cell carcinoma and 12 with thyroid carcinoma who underwent embolization before 41 surgical procedures were matched to 41 patients who did not have embolization with respect to age, diagnosis, tumor size and potential vascularity, and procedure type; matching was performed without knowledge of outcomes. In univariate and multivariate analyses, age, tumor size, use of embolization, surgery type and risk, embolization-to-surgery interval, and degree of devascularization were evaluated for correlations with estimated blood loss, packed red blood cell transfusion volume, operative time, and postembolization renal function.

RESULTS

Overall, patients who had embolization had less mean estimated blood loss (0.90 versus 1.77 L; p = 0.002), packed red blood cell transfusion volume (2.15 versus 3.56 U; p = 0.020), and operative time (3.13 versus 3.91 hours; p < 0.001). Larger tumor size correlated with greater estimated blood loss (r = 0.451; p = 0.003), packed red blood cell transfusion volume (r = 0.50; p = 0.002), and operative time (r = 0.595; p < 0.001). Neither the interval for embolization to surgery nor the degree of devascularization correlated with estimated blood loss or transfusion volume. In open rodding with intralesional curettage, transcatheter arterial embolization was associated with reduced estimated blood loss, transfusion volume, and operative time. Packed red blood cell transfusion volume was not reduced by embolization in intramedullary nailing procedures with the patient numbers available. Among patients with normal preoperative renal function who had embolization, creatinine levels remained normal. Mild transient, reversible renal function change occurred in one patient with preoperatively abnormal renal function.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that preoperative embolization probably reduces estimated blood loss, particularly for large tumors and during open femoral procedures.

Preoperative spinal tumor embolization: an institutional experience with Onyx

BACKGROUND

Preoperative embolization has the potential to decrease intraoperative blood loss and facilitate spinal cord decompression and tumor resection.

OBJECTIVE

We report our institutional experience with the embolization of hypervascular extradural spinal tumors with Onyx as well as earlier embolic agents in a series of 28 patients.

METHODS

A retrospective case review was conducted on patients undergoing preoperative transarterial embolization of a spinal tumor between 1995 and 2012 at our institution.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 60.6 years. Twenty-eight patients had metastatic tumors. In 14 (50%) patients the metastases were from renal cell carcinomas. Fifty-four vessels were embolized using PVA, NBCA, Onyx, coils, or embospheres. Sixteen patients were treated with Onyx, 6 patients with PVA, 3 patients with embospheres, 2 patients with NBCA, and 3 patients with a combination of embolic agents. The average decrease in tumor blush was 97.8% with Onyx versus 92.7% with the rest of the embolic agents (p=0.08). The estimated blood loss was 1616ml (range 350-5000ml). Blood loss was 750cm(3) on average with Onyx versus 1844 with the rest of the embolic agents (p=0.14). The mean length of stay was 16 days. The mortality rate was zero. Pre- and post-operative modified Rankin Score (mRS) did not differ significantly in the series (3.12 versus 3.10, respectively, p=0.9).

CONCLUSION

In our experience, the use of transarterial tumor embolization as an adjunct for spinal surgery is a safe and feasible option.

Management of painful pelvic bone metastasis of renal cell carcinoma using embolization, radio-frequency ablation, and cementoplasty: a prospective evaluation of efficacy and safety

PURPOSE

To measure the impact on pain relief and patient quality of life using embolization radio-frequency ablation and cementoplasty (ERC) for local combination therapeutic management of painful pelvic bone metastasis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective monocentric registry was approved by our Local Institutional Review Board. Between January 2008 and January 2013, all consecutive patients who fully met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the ERC-procedure prospective registry. They were assigned to follow-up at discharge and again at 1 and 6 months. Efficacy was evaluated using a pain visual analog scale (VAS), and narcotic consumption and quality of life were assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory questionnaire.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients were enrolled, among whom 58 lesions were treated. Technical success was obtained in all procedures. The median VAS score decreased from 7 ± 1.4 (ranges 5-10) at baseline to 3 ± 1.5 (ranges 0-6) at discharge, 2 ± 1.5 (ranges 0-5) at 1 month (p < 0.0001), and 2 ± 1.6 (ranges 0-5) at 6 months. In 28 patients (54 %), narcotic consumption was halved at discharge and halved in 40 (77 %) patients at 1 and 6 months compared with baseline. Five patients had complete pain relief at 1 month. A major improvement in quality of life, especially regarding mood and motion, was observed in all patients.

CONCLUSION

This specific approach to painful bone metastasis is efficient and safe and yields sustained results. The ERC procedure could be suggested for patients with RCC bone metastasis.

Embolisation of hypervascular bone tumours: a pictorial essay with literature review

Bone tumours, either primary or secondary, can present in various debilitating manners, including pain and pathological fracture. The situation is particularly problematic when the tumours are hypervascular, and located in regions where a high risk of neurological compromise is anticipated during operation, such as in the spine or sacrum. In such situations, bone tumour embolisation is a useful and effective adjunctive treatment for reducing intra-operative blood loss. This is particularly relevant in primary bone tumours such as giant cell tumours and metastatic renal cell and thyroid tumours. With a proper pre-embolisation angiogram and knowledge of anatomy, careful selective cannulation of the arterial supplies and experience in using embolic agents, the risks of non-target embolisation can be kept to minimum and the best result achieved.

Embolisation of bone metastases from renal cancer

PURPOSE

This study was done to evaluate embolisation for palliative and/or adjuvant treatment of bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma and discuss the clinical and imaging results.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied 107 patients with bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma treated from December 2002 to January 2011 with 163 embolisations using N-2-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA). Mean tumour diameter before embolisation was 8.8 cm and mean follow-up 4 years. Clinical and imaging effects of treatment were evaluated at follow-up examinations with a pain score scale, analgesic use, hypoattenuating areas, tumour size and ossification.

RESULTS

A clinical response was achieved in 157 (96%) and no response in six embolisations of sacroiliac metastases. Mean duration of clinical response was 10 (range 1-12) months. Hypoattenuating areas resembling tumour necrosis were observed in all patients. Variable ossification appeared in 41 patients. Mean maximal tumour diameter after embolisation was 4.0 cm. One patient had intraprocedural tear of the left L3 artery and iliopsoas haemorrhage and was treated with occlusion of the bleeding vessel with NBCA. All patients had variable ischaemic pain that recovered completely within 2-4 days. Postembolisation syndrome was diagnosed after 15 embolisations (9.2%). Transient paraesthesias in the lower extremities were observed after 25 embolisations (25%) of pelvis and sacrum metastatic lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Embolisation with NBCA is recommended as primary or palliative treatment of bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma. Strict adherence to the principles of transcatheter embolisation is important to avoid complications.

Preoperative and therapeutic embolization of extremities of bone and soft tissue tumors

Embolization of bone and soft tissue tumors has a broad range of indications, from curative treatment to palliation. The main purpose of embolization is to occlude as much of the tumor blood supply as possible. The outcome ranges from complete tumor devascularization and necrosis to degrees of ischemia and hypovascularity. Thus, the tumor will shrink, bleeding will be reduced, borders between the tumor and surrounding tissue will become clear, and resection will be easier. The purpose of this study was to correlate the effectiveness of preoperative embolization with the blood loss and transfusion requirement during surgery for bone or soft tissue tumors.

Current role of interventions in metastatic kidney tumors: single center experience

This study on the treatment of kidney tumor metastases aims to expose our experience in different interventional therapies for renal cell carcinomas metastasis in different organs, broaching their complications and comparing our results with the literature. In the last 5 years, after informed consent, 22 patients with metastatic kidney tumors were enrolled in this retrospective observational study. According to lesion sites, different interventional procedures may be performed: RFA for pancreas, lung, adrenal gland and liver lesions; TAE and RFA for bone lesions and IVC filter positioning for thrombosis of renal vein. There were mainly satisfactory results: complete necrosis of pancreas, lung and adrenal gland metastasis with a technical success rate of 100%; after TAE and RFA of bone lesions, an acceptable blood loss was registered during surgical intervention; no recurrences after liver metastasis ablation were observed in a period of 3 months; positioning of IVC filter was technically correct in 100% of patients; few complications, such as diffuse abdominal pain for pancreas, pneumothorax in the lung RCC metastasis and a post-RFA syndrome for the adrenal. There was a nodular recurrence along the ablation margin in one liver RCC metastasis. Inclusion criteria were relatively strict and only 22 patients were included in this study. The follow-up has been relatively short to date, so we are not certain of the long-term results, though these are comparable to those found in literature. It is possible to conclude that Interventional radiology plays an important role in RCC metastasis treatment, if we have few complications and improved outcomes.

Selective arterial embolisation for bone tumours: experience of 454 cases

PURPOSE

The authors present the experience of a single institution with selective arterial embolisation for primary and metastatic bone tumours.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 365 patients were treated with 454 embolisation procedures from December 2002 to April 2010. Embolisation was the primary treatment for benign bone tumours, adjuvant treatment to surgery for benign and malignant bone tumours and palliative treatment for bone sarcomas and metastases. Indications for repeat embolisation included pain or imaging evidence of progressive disease: 105 patients had repeat embolisation at the same location at an interval of 1-3 months; 260 patients had one embolisation, 78 had two and 29 had three or more. In all patients, N-2-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) in 33% lipiodol was the embolic agent used.

RESULTS

A total of 419 of the 454 embolisations (93%) were technically successful. In 35 cases, embolisation was not feasible because of poor lesion vascularisation (21 patients with bone metastases and two with aneurysmal bone cysts), origin of the Adamkiewicz artery in the embolisation field (four patients with bone metastases and one with aneurysmal bone cyst), atheromatosis and arteriosclerosis (five patients with bone metastases) and anatomical and technical problems such as small-calibre vessels, many branches and acute vessel angles (two patients with bone metastases). A clinical response was achieved in 406 of the 419 procedures (97%), and no response in 13 procedures in patients with pelvis and sacrum tumours. Complications included postembolisation syndrome in 81 patients (22%), transient paraesthesias in 41 (11%), skin breakdown and subcutaneous necrosis at the shoulder and pelvis in five (1.4%) and paresis of the sciatic nerve in one (0.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend embolisation as primary or palliative treatment or an adjunct to surgery for tumours of variable histology. Strict adherence to the principles of transcatheter embolisation is important. Arteries feeding the tumour and collaterals must be evaluated carefully and catheterised superselectively to protect the normal tissues. NBCA is considered the most appropriate embolic agent for small-vessel occlusion without major complications.

Selective embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate for metastatic bone disease

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical and imaging effect of selective embolization using N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) as palliation for bone metastases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The procedures and effect of 309 embolizations performed in 243 patients were retrospectively analyzed; 56 patients had repeat embolization at the same location at 1-3 months; 197 patients had embolization for progressive bone metastases after radiation therapy. The mean tumor diameter before embolization was 7.8 cm (range 5-30 cm). In all patients, embolizations were performed under local anesthesia through transfemoral catheterization using NBCA in 33% ethiodized oil. The technical success of embolization was evaluated by angiography after completion of the procedure. The clinical and imaging effect was evaluated at follow-up examinations with a pain score scale and use of analgesics, hypoattenuating areas, tumor size, and ossification.

RESULTS

In all 309 embolizations, postprocedural angiography showed complete occlusion of metastatic blood supply and greater than 80% devascularization of the lesions. Greater than 50% reduction of pain score and analgesic doses was achieved in 97% of procedures. The mean duration of pain relief was 8.1 months (range 1-12 months). The mean maximal tumor diameter after embolization was 5.5 cm (range 2-20 cm). Variable ossification appeared in 65 patients. Postembolization syndrome, ischemic pain at the site of embolization, paresthesias, skin breakdown, and subcutaneous necrosis were observed in 87 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Selective embolization with NBCA is a safe and effective palliative treatment for metastatic bone lesions of various primary cancers; pain relief is temporary.