A preliminary clinical application of percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)for symptomatic vertebral hemangioma

Objective To investigate the clinical results of percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP) for symptomatic vertebral hemangioma. Methods Eleven patients(2 males and 9 females) suffered from symptomatic vertebral hemangioma(11 thoracic segment levels and 3 lumbar segment levels) were treated with PVP under DSA or CT guidance. The main goal of this procedure was to relieve hemangioma related pain. All patients were examined with CT scan after intervention and were followed up from 3 to 34 months (average, 15.2 months). Results The procedure was technically successful in all patients, with an average injection amount of 6.3 ml cement per vertebral body. No clinically significant complications were found. There was no epidural leakage, and the 2 paravertebral leakages detected with CT had no clinical importance. Partial or complete pain relief was achieved in all patients associated with improved mobility, and 1 patient experienced transitory worsening of pain followed by significant pain relief. Patients were discharged in 1-4 days (average, 1.5 days) after the procedure. Pain relief was sustained in all patients at the last following-up. Conclusion PVP is a valuable minimal invasive alternative procedure in treatment of symptomatic vertebral hemangioma and provides satisfactory pain relief with less complications.