Cement vertebroplasty combined with ethanol injection in the treatment of vertebral hemangioma

Background A number of methods have been used in the treatment of symptomatic and aggressive vertebral hemangioma, but none of them is optimal. Vertebral hemangioma treated with cement vertebroplasty or ethanol injection alone showed relatively good results despite their limitations. Methods Between February 2002 and May 2004, twelve patients with vertebral hemangioma were subjected to combined cement vertebroplasty and ethanol injection, five of them were men and seven women, and aged from 26 to 54 years (mean, 41 years). The following levels of the spine were involved: T9: 1, T10: 3, T12: 2, L1: 1, L2: 2, L3: 2 and L4: 1. The clinical results and radiographic records of the patients were assessed after 2 years and 5 months of follow-up. Results The average score of back pain significantly decreased from 6.5 before operation to 1.7 one month after operation. No severe complications occurred during and after operation. During the period of follow-up, symptoms were not deteriorated. At the end of follow-up, neither radiographic sign of aggressive destruction nor collapse of the involved vertebra was observed. Significant improvement in the 12 patients was demonstrated on 7 of 8 SF-36 Health Scale except for mental health. Conclusions Cement vertebroplasty combined with ethanol injection as a safe and effective technique is an alternative to the treatment of patients with vertebral hemangioma.